On June 14, 1977, Congress authorized legislation 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 “liberty and justice for all.” In the 1950s and 1960s began the civil rights movement which marked the beginning of a long journey towards integration and equality for people of color. In Martin Luther King's "Letter to Birmingham Jail," King responds to eight clergymen who view King's actions as "reckless and untimely." 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 available to engage in a program of nonviolent direct action...I was invited here” (King 1281). King spoke out on behalf of 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 Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In “Letter to Birmingham Jail,” King responds to the eight clergymen’s claims that he is “unwise and inexpedient.” In the first paragraph of the letter, King explains why he was in Birmingham in the first place. He shares with the clergy that he was invited because of his organizational ties. “Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on guard duty...I was invited here” (King 1281). Clergymen believe that King or outsiders should not worry about others, meaning that if they were not from Birmingham, they should stick to their own business. King refutes this claim by saying that Birmingham is his business because of organizational ties to his office in Alabama and primarily because he was invited. “Injustice anywhere constitutes a threat to justice everywhere...no one living in the United States can ever be considered a stranger within its borders” (King 1282-1283). King says that even if he wasn't in Birmingham, injustice remains injustice regardless of location. All American citizens are one and should have the same rights everywhere. People were denied their right to peacefully protest, which constituted unjust behavior. That's why King decided he had to get the people's attention and protest in some way. Justice is still not seen today and even in today's society people are harassed and rejected. for having fought for justice or for having a position. One widely discussed example today is football player Colin Kaepernick who initially sat on the bench during the national anthem, but then began kneeling after a discussion with the former player and NFL veteran Nate Boyer, who suggested he show respect to the military. Kaepernick noticed the racial disparities in our justice systems and felt that our country, which represents the ideals of "liberty and justice" in both flag and anthem, was not living up to the ideals of our founding fathers. Although Kaepernick reached out to his fellow players and soldiers, Kaepernick understood that kneeling showed respect and symbolized recognition of suffering on a national scale. This non-violent demonstration caused agitation among.