On June 14, 1977, Congress authorized an act establishing the nation's official flag. The flag and anthem were created for all citizens of the United States of America. Not only the flag but also the country was founded on the ideals of “freedom and justice for all”. In the 1950s and 1960s, the civil rights movement began and marked the beginning of a long journey for the integration and equality of people of color. In Martin Luther King's "Letter to the Birmingham Jail," King responds to eight clergymen who deem King's actions "unwise and premature." Laws are social constructs created to symbolize our ideals of “liberty and justice for all,” but there comes a time when it becomes our obligation to break these laws in the face of injustice. “Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct action program…I was invited here” (King 1281). King spoke on behalf of the people who were silenced and ignored because if he had ignored the “call of the Gospel,” change may never have begun. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original EssayIn "Letter to Birmingham Jail," King responds to the eight clergymen's claims that he was "unwise and premature." In the opening paragraph of the letter, King explains why he was in Birmingham in the first place. He shares with the clergy that he was invited for his organizational ties. “Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call…I was invited here” (King 1281). The clergy believe that King or outsiders should not care about others, meaning, if they were not from Birmingham, they should stick to their own affairs. King denies the claim, saying that Birmingham is his business because of organizational ties to his Alabama office and especially because he was invited. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere…anyone who lives in the United States can never be considered an outsider within its borders” (King 1282-1283). King argues that even if he wasn't in Birmingham, injustice is still injustice, regardless of location. All citizens of the United States are one and should have the same rights everywhere. People were being denied the right to peaceful protest, which was unjust behavior, so because of this King decided that he needed to get people's attention and protest anyway. Justice is still not seen today and even in today's society people are harassed and shunned. for fighting for justice or for having a position. One example widely discussed today is football player Colin Kaepernick who initially sat on the bench during the anthem but later began kneeling after an argument with former player and NFL veteran Nate Boyer suggested he show respect to the military. Kaepernick noted racial disparities in our justice systems and felt that our country, which represents ideals of “freedom and justice” in both flag and anthem, fell short of the ideals of our Founding Fathers. Even as Kaepernick addressed the other players and soldiers, Kaepernick saw that kneeling showed respect and symbolized recognition of suffering nationwide. This nonviolent protest created an uproar of angry Americans suggesting that Kaepernick disrespected the flag and his fellow soldiers. In Kaepernick's case he didn't break any laws but he created social tension. In the letter, King addresses the topic of the value of tension.