What was Socrates in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s "A Letter from a Birmingham Jail"?

Invocation of Socrates at three instances

Explanation:

Martin Luther King Jr's 1963, "A Letter from a Birmingham Jail" provided an impetus to the struggle for civil rights. He seeks inspiration from Bible, philosophers and Christian theologians. His invocation of Socrates for non-violent resistance and a just form of civil disobedience.

Three references to Socrates:

1) His first reference to Socrates was in response to - “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn’t negotiation a better path?”  

King conformed to Socrates' belief that it is essential to create a tension in the mind to depart from the bondage of myths and half-truths. It leads to an "unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal".

2) He further rejects the illogical notion of Socrates similar to Plato for the alteration in his commitment to truth by the misguided populace. He condemned Socrates' belief that resistance leads to violence.

3) Lastly, King gives reference to Socrates for his justification of Civil disobedience. It was practiced Christians who faced atrocities but never submit to unjust laws of the Romans.

everybody they have a little secret something

that they don't wanna tell anybody

because it's shakin'

yeah yeah

like when your hearts racing

from having stage-fright

listen up

say okay i-i understand you but

you don't ever have to hide

no no

just look it in the eye

don't be afraid of letting go!

if you don't try you'll never know

and whoa whoa

if you really wanna win

you gotta dive in

come on now you know it's time

you never know what you may find

and whoa whoa

if you really wanna win

you gotta dive in

yeah yeah yeah yeah

hey!

time to stand up

don't have pretend

and if you mess up

just go and try again

no don't worry

you're surrounded by your friends

yeah yeah yeah yeah

don't have to hide out

don't need to fear the worst

nothing's scary

as they seem at first

hey you're a monster

you can do it that's for sure

come on come on

don't be afraid of letting go!

if you don't try you'll never know

and whoa whoa

if you really wanna win win win win

you gotta dive in

come on now you know it's time

you never know what you may find

and whoa whoa

if you really wanna win

you gotta dive in

yeah yeah yeah

you gotta face your fears

yeah yeah yeah

and they will disappear

yeah yeah yeah

what are you waiting for

yeah yeah yeah

come on

don't be afraid of letting go

if you don't try you'll never know

and whoa whoa

if you really wanna win

you gotta dive in

come on now you know it's time

you never know what you may find

and whoa whoa

if you really wanna win

you gotta dive in