Not extremists, but millions of white moderate are the object of King’s pronounced disappointment. And it is American society compared to Nazi’s Germany and communist regime on the issue of segregation. Now it is safe to do so without having his letter thrown away. To this point, King has avoided confronting his opponents with open accusations. After all, why should they know how it feels “to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children”? But King presses on remorselessly, capitalizing on the pick moments of the audience’s attention won by the Rogerian argument. It might even seem cruel to force the well-established and complacent clergy through such an emotional experience. Of course, he can feel annoyed at the author, but admitting it would imply the denial of Christian values they both share.Įventually, King brings the cleric into the black people’s world, enumerating the ways in which his, cleric’s “twenty million Negro brothers” were oppressed. The cleric’s attention was caught firmly by the letter’s preamble, and now he cannot help learning the entire scope of problems, brought by segregation. To his astonishment, however, the letter eventually offers multiple reasons for the non-violent actions. King appears to be asking rhetorical questions from the clergy’s standpoint: “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn't negotiation a better path”? It does not take much of an imagination to picture a cleric reading these questions and inwardly agreeing with them. Eventually, the narrative comes to the point of justifying the direct actions. In a neutral tone, he explains why elected Alabama authorities cannot be considered fully legitimate given the circumstances of those elections. He regrets the biased attitude of news media that pictured Birmingham demonstrations as evil outbursts. Once the initial understanding is established, author argues his case further, letting in emotions in measured quantities. The very author’s tone is that of a concerned partner, rather than irreconcilable adversary. The first stage of Rogerian argument goes on smoothly, pacifying the alienated audience with calm reasoning. This choice, however, is artfully concealed in a course of King’s recounting of black people’s numerous misfortunes. Highlighting Christian values in his intentions repeatedly, King limits his audience with the choice of possible reaction: the clergy could either accept his reasoning or appear to deny their Christian commitment. He explains reasons behind his actions, positioning himself as a follower of New Testament’s characters in their pursuit for the justice. Such an approach visibly creates some degree of understanding, disarming the antagonistic audience.Īll first-time users will automatically receiveįurther in the letter, King systematically and conversationally describes the circumstances in which Birmingham campaign has taken place, substantiating every notion with firm examples. He appears to recognize the importance of his opponents’ concerns and elaborates profoundly on explaining his positions. In the best traditions of Rogerian style, King starts his letter with acknowledgement of clerics’ sincere intentions, praising them for being “men of genuine good will”. Alternatively known as a “letter to the clergy”, it constitutes a response to Alabama clergymen who accused King of violence and law-breaking during the Birmingham campaign. in his “Letter from Birmingham jail”, published in 1963. The exemplary piece of a Rogerian argument was demonstrated by Martin Luther King Jr. All arguments must be presented patiently and logically, offering the possibility for the opponent to benefit from adopting some of the author’s views. Then he would develop his point, referring to the previously established consensus. From the outset of an argument, debater needs to demonstrate the understanding of the opponent’s views an logic, agreeing with the most firm positions. Traditionally, the Rogerian argument is based on the concept of finding common grounds to substantiate the discussion. In this context, the technique known as Rogerian argument is the best rhetoric that can fruitfully appeal to the sense, rather than trying to convert the opponent to author’s beliefs. The alienated audience is unlikely to accept emotional arguments, whereas calm reasoning might produce a desired effect. Whenever someone seeks to develop a strong argument, the audience and the context matter significantly.
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