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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. A day was set as "D" day, when students would go to jail in historical numbers. What day was "D" day?

2. Why does MLK say the Easter season was chosen as the time for direct-action?

3. MLK discusses the fact that the Negro knows he is right in pursuing his rights in unity of the movement and quotes someone as saying, "When you are right, you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too" what?

4. What kind of pace does MLK say they are taking to gain a cup of coffee at a lunch counter?

5. What is defined as a movement that changes both people and institutions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relevant question that MLK mentions that must be asked to atone for the injustices the Negro has faced in the past?

2. What does MLK mention in "The Days to Come" that would immediately transform the conditions of Negro life?

3. What did scientific observers place in the sealed death chambers where poison gas was to be administered to the victims of capital punishment?

4. What does MLK say is the difference between just laws and unjust laws?

5. What are the four basic steps in any nonviolent campaign that MLK mentions?

6. What did MLK wonder about the media writers when they accused the campaign officials of "using" their children "in this fashion"?

7. Why does MLK state that "we were all involved with" John F. Kennedy's death?

8. What did approximately 125 business leaders see when they left for lunch during the May 7th Senior Citizens Committee meeting?

9. After Bull Connor asks his men to "turn on the hoses" on the Negros marching to a prayer meeting, MLK describes the event as one of the most fantastic events of the Birmingham story. Why?

10. How does MLK answer the questions of the clergymen of "Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Aren't negotiations better?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book we read about fear and experience this frequently. MLK mention's that Bull Connor's Birmingham had the silent password of fear. The black people were oppressed, so there was fear. Why does MLK say the white citizens were fearful? Why did the thought of change bring fear among Negros and white citizens too? Why and how did Bull Connor strike a sense of fear in the city? What other instances of fear do you find in the book?

Essay Topic 2

In "Bull Connor's Birmingham," MLK describes what it would be like to be a Negro baby born in Birmingham and brought up in Birmingham. He describes what that child would endure. What are some of the points he brings out about being a Negro child at this time? MLK then goes on to say that this same person would not be able to join a branch of the N.A.A.C.P. Why? How does he describe finding a job as a Negro in Birmingham?

Essay Topic 3

Not much is mentioned about MLK's wife during the events of this book. Why do you think that is? Why do you think it was important for MLK to include her in the telling of him being in jail and her trying to call? Even though Coretta isn't mentioned much, how much influence do you think she had during the events in this book? How do you think Coretta King felt about her husband's intense involvement with the civil rights movement? How do you think Coretta showed her support to MLK? How do you think Coretta's support helped motivated MLK?

(see the answer keys)

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