Since time immemorial, social justice advocates have used rhetorical strategies to persuade their opponents of their claims. Supporters of the African American civil rights movement made extensive use of these strategies to defend their cause. On April 16, 1963, from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a lengthy missive to eight clergymen who had attacked his civil rights work in a public statement released on April 12, 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed this letter primarily to those eight leaders of the white Southern Church. However, the letter of the eight clergymen and Martin Luther King Jr.'s response were published publicly. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to convince of the usefulness of his commitment in this particular area at this specific moment. To persuade his readers, Martin Luther King, Jr. predominantly uses Aristotle's three types of persuasion which appeal to ethos, pathos, and logos. First, it appeals to one's reputation and wisdom. Second, try to arouse emotion or sympathy in readers. Finally, it appeals to logic, supported by evidence and quotes from influential thinkers. Martin Luther King Jr. wants to be the spokesperson for the African American community in the United States of America. His intention is to demonstrate to his opponents that he has sufficient authority to advance the cause of civil rights on behalf of his community. The first example illustrating Martin Luther King Jr.'s use of this strategy is found in the second paragraph of his letter: "I have the honor to serve as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference." He thus reminds his interlocutors of his leadership position in the religious community....... middle of paper ......n to build a rapprochement with the WASP community too. In fact, it reminds the WASP community of its previous struggles against both British oppression and the Nazi regime. He therefore intends to illustrate with analogies that the struggle for civil rights of African Americans is not that far from the previous demands of the WASP community. As a result, it erases the false dichotomy that is rampant in the WASP community, namely that the requirements for civil rights are not as justifiable and moral as the independence of the thirteen colonies or the repression of Nazi anti-Semitism. An important element of this Letter from Birmingham Jail is that Martin Luther King Jr. concludes his missive with a call for peace and unity. With these words, if readers have just forgotten the entire speech, keep in mind its motivation of pacification and harmony.