Think about the two passages from King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

Write your own summary of King’s main messages as if you were explaining King’s message to someone who had not read the letter.

Write your response in five to seven sentences.


African Americans have waited long enough for change.

Those who have not suffered injustice cannot criticize the impatience of those who have.

Many have suffered under segregation

Protests expose existing tension.

Disorder is a necessary step toward progress.