World Literature
Fennessy/Nham
Name__________________________________________
Period
1
5
7
8
A
Call
for
Unity
A
Group
of
Clergymen
April
12,
1963
We
clergymen
are
among
those
who,
in
January,
issued
an
Appeal
for
Law
and
Order
and
Common
Sense,
in
dealing
with
racial
problems
in
Alabama.
We
expressed
understanding
that
honest
convictions
in
racial
matters
could
properly
be
pursued
in
the
courts,
but
urged
that
decisions
of
those
courts
should
in
the
meantime
be
peacefully
obeyed.
Since
that
time
there
has
been
some
evidence
of
increased
forbearance
and
a
willingness
to
face
facts.
Responsible
citizens
have
undertaken
to
work
on
various
problems
which
cause
racial
friction
and
unrest.
In
Birmingham,
recent
public
events
have
given
indication
that
we
all
have
opportunity
for
a
new
constructive
and
realistic
approach
to
racial
problems.
However,
we
are
now
confronted
by
a
series
of
demonstrations
by
some
of
our
Negro
citizens,
directed
and
led
in
part
by
outsiders.
We
recognize
the
natural
impatience
of
people
who
feel
that
their
hopes
are
slow
in
being
realized.
But
we
are
convinced
that
these
demonstrations
are
unwise
and
untimely.
We
agree
rather
with
certain
local
Negro
leadership
which
has
called
for
honest
and
open
negotiation
of
racial
issues
in
our
area.
And
we
believe
this
kind
of
facing
of
issues
can
best
be
accomplished
by
citizens
of
our
own
metropolitan
area,
white
and
Negro,
meeting
with
their
knowledge
and
experiences
of
the
local
situation.
All
of
us
need
to
face
that
responsibility
and
find
proper
channels
for
its
accomplishment.
Just
as
we
formerly
pointed
out
that
hatred
and
violence
have
no
sanction
in
our
religious
and
political
traditions,
we
also
point
out
that
such
actions
as
incite
to
hatred
and
violence,
however
technically
peaceful
those
actions
may
be,
have
not
contributed
to
the
resolution
of
our
local
problems.
We
do
not
believe
that
these
days
of
new
hope
are
days
when
extreme
measures
are
justified
in
Birmingham.
We
commend
the
community
as
a
whole,
and
the
local
news
media
and
law
enforcement
officials
in
particular,
on
the
calm
manner
in
which
these
demonstrations
have
been
handled.
We
urge
the
public
to
continue
to
show
restraint
should
the
demonstrations
continue,
and
the
law
enforcement
officials
to
remain
calm
and
continue
to
protect
our
city
from
violence.
We
further
strongly
urge
our
own
Negro
community
to
withdraw
support
from
these
demonstrations,
and
to
unite
locally
in
working
peacefully
for
a
better
Birmingham.
When
rights
are
consistently
denied,
a
cause
should
be
pressed
in
the
courts
and
in
negotiations
among
local
leaders,
and
not
in
the
streets.
We
appeal
to
both
our
white
and
Negro
citizenry
to
observe
the
principles
of
law
and
order
and
common
sense.
Signed
by:
C.C.J.
CARPENTER,
D.D.,
LL.D.,
Bishop
of
Alabama.
JOSEPH
A.
DURICK,
D.D.,
Auxiliary
Bishop,
Diocese
of
Mobile-Birmingham
Rabbi
MILTON
L.
GRAFMAN,
Temple
Emanu-El,
Birmingham,
Alabama
Bishop
PAUL
HARDIN,
Bishop
of
the
Alabama-West
Florida
Conference
of
the
Methodist
Church
Bishop
NOLAN
B.
HARMON,
Bishop
of
the
North
Alabama
Conference
of
the
Methodist
Church
GEORGE
M.
MURRAY,
D.D.,
LL.D.,
Bishop
Coadjutor,
Episcopal
Diocese
of
Alabama
EDWARD
V.
RAMAGE,
Moderator,
Synod
of
the
Alabama
Presbyterian
Church
in
the
United
States
EARL
STALLINGS,
Pastors,
First
Baptist
Church,
Birmingham,
Alabama
DIRECTIONS: After reading A Call for Unity, identify THREE more themes found in the open letter,
their main ideas and supporting details.
Theme the
message/lesson
Unity/
Community/
Togetherness
Main Idea a summary of
Supporting Details
what is mentioned
1. The Clergy agree that
1. Paragraph 1 they have discussed that there
there are racial problems
are some issues the courts need to resolve
to be solved
2. The Clergy want to work
with the black people of
Birmingham
2. Paragraph 7 they are asking to work
peacefully for a better Birmingham
