Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of many great influential speakers, wrote a life-changing letter after he was arrested for peacefully protesting for the rights of African Americans. While in prison, Dr. King received a letter from some clergymen questioning his motives and timing for being in Birmingham. In one response Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. writes a "Letter from Birmingham Jail" vividly expressing the physical and emotional purposes of his presence in Birmingham, AL. First, in "Letter from Birmingham Jail" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.' His aim is to show his fellow priests the true images of how racism and segregation affect the citizens of Birmingham. Dr. King says, “There is no denying the fact that racial injustice overwhelms this community.” Considering how blacks are treated poorly in courts and suffer bomb threats in churches, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wants clergymen to see that there is no denying that Birmingham is one of the most racist cities in the United States. “Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could free themselves from the bondage of myths… we must… create in society the kind of tension that helps men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism. " Through a powerful quote from a classical Greek philosopher, Dr. King shows the clergy that they have no reason to wage a violent campaign; rather his purpose is to have peaceful “direct action programs” to give oppressed people the right to fight for their "God-given constitutional rights." ...when you finally find yourself stammering to explain... halfway paper ......telling the Clergy that judging them for peaceful acts is like judging God for sending Jesus to earth to be crucified, he did not send Jesus to start riots or wars, Dr. King's peaceful acts resemble the acts of God. Dr. King was invited to Birmingham to help blacks negotiate constitutional rights not to precipitate in any way violence. Later, Dr. King says he is troubled that his fellow clergymen consider his actions “extremist.” If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an extremist, then he is an extremist for peaceful negotiations and equal rights. Dr. King then states, “Jesus was not an extremist in love: love your enemies… do good to those who hate you.” Dr. King uses the connotative meaning of extremist and provides priests with a biblical quote to demonstrate that being an extremist is not a bad trait to have.