In the letter “A Call for Unity” Written by eight white clergymen to Martin Luther King Jr. criticizing his demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama. I personally have some problems with a few points they make. They call for compliance, and they also praise the police for using restraint and non violence, and they also say there is no need for outside interference.

            These eight white clergymen call for compliance from their black counter parts. I personally believe if you are going to stand on the sidelines you have no right to tell others to comply with anything. These men are not enduring the same racial injustices that their counter parts are. It is easy to say comply with the laws in place when they don’t discriminate against you.

            These same eight white clergymen gave praise to the police department for using restraint and non violent measures to control the demonstrators. When in fact these demonstrators were beaten and viciously attacked by police dogs. If I’m not mistaken I also believe they were hosed down with fire hoses, which by the way will knock a full grown man back twenty feet,

            As far as these clergymen saying there is no need for outside influence, this is true had they helped in the negotiations with the city leaders of Birmingham. Which they did not so, Dr. King stepped in and organized a peaceful demonstration. Of course the peaceful part went right out the window when the police stepped in.

            I believe if the white clergymen had done what they said they would do there would have been no problem in Birmingham altogether. In fact if they had followed through with their promises there wouldn’t have been a demonstration nor would Dr. King have probably even come to Birmingham which would have eliminated the violence that ensued at the demonstration.