Since time immemorial, promoters of social justice 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 advance their cause. On April 16, 1963, from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a lengthy missive to eight clergy who had attacked his civil rights work in a public statement issued on April 12, 1963. Martin Luther King, Jr. This letter was addressed primarily to these eight leaders of the white Southern Church. However, the eight clergymen's letter and Martin Luther King Jr.'s response were publicly released. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to convince people of the usefulness of his commitment in this particular area at this precise moment. To persuade his readers, Martin Luther King Jr. mainly uses Aristotle's three types of persuasion which appeal to ethos, pathos and logos. First, he appeals to his own reputation and wisdom. Second, it tries to arouse emotions or sympathy in readers. Finally, it uses 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 prove to his opponents that he has sufficient authority to promote the cause of civil rights on behalf of his community. The first example of Martin Luther King Jr.'s use of this strategy is found in the second paragraph of his letter: "I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference." Thus, he reminds his interlocutors of his position as leader within the religious community....... middle of paper ......n to also build a rapprochement with the WASP community. In fact, it reminds the WASP community of its earlier struggles against British oppression and the Nazi regime. Thus, he intends to illustrate through analogies that the struggle for civil rights for African-Americans is not so far removed from the prior demands of the WASP community. Therefore, it erases the false dichotomy plaguing the WASP community that civil rights demands are not as justifiable and moral as the independence of the Thirteen Colonies or the suppression of Nazi anti-Semitism. An important element of this letter from the Birmingham Jail is that Martin Luther King, Jr. concludes his missive with a call for peace and unity. With these words, if readers have forgotten the entire speech, they keep in mind its motivation for appeasement and harmony..