Birmingham Jail

1) "I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues  against "outsiders coming in." He says he must explain himself in why he is here in the city, but they say he is an outsider coming in.
2) "You may well ask: "Why direct action? Why sit ins, marches, and so forth?" He is challenging the rules or the city, and they ask him why direct action?
3)"When you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of "nobodiness"--then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. He says why blacks feel a sence of being a nobody, then they say why they are taking direct action now, instead of waiting.
4) In your statement you assert that our actions, even though peaceful, must be condemned because they precipitate violence. He says their actions are peaceful, and they say that they should be condemned for the precipitation of violence.
5) You speak of our activity in Birmingham as extreme. At first I was rather disappointed that fellow clergymen would see my nonviolent efforts as those of an extremist. He says he is disappointed in the clergy for looking at his peaceful efforts as violent, they say King and his followers are extremists.
6)"... I had hoped that each of you would understand. But again I have been dissapointed." He says  he hopes the whites see the injustice of the current system, and they say in favor of "outright opponents, refusing to understand the freedom movement..."