Question

I must close now. But before closing I am impelled to mention one other point in your statement that troubled me profoundly. You warmly commended the Birmingham police force for keeping “order” and “preventing violence.” I don’t believe you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its angry violent dogs literally biting six unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. I don’t believe you would so quickly commend the policemen if you would observe their ugly and inhuman treatment of Negroes here in the city jail; if you would watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls; if you would see them slap and kick old Negro men and young Negro boys; if you will observe them, as they did on two occasions, refuse to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together. I’m sorry that I can’t join you in your praise for the police department.
Based on this passage from “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr., who are the South’s “real heroes”?
A.the police dogs
B.the police force
C.the protesters

Answer 1

Based on this passage from “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr., the South’s “real heroes” are the protesters.

In the “letter” Dr. King confronts towards those who would be overlooking the courage of the protesters and celebrating the Birmingham police.  Using the symbol of Birmingham place as “law and order”, he criticizes them. Therefore, he attacks the audience for not choosing justice over their comfort. Dr. king depicts many atrocities details by stating “if [they] had seen.” In his letter, he juxtaposes the south “real heroes”, who will be judged by the police who preserve the "evil system of segregation.”

Answer 2

I would say it is C.the prtesters