Question

read the excerpt from dr. martin luther kings letter from birmingham jail.
i have tried to stand between these two forces, saying that we need emulate neither the do nothingism of the complacent nor the hatred and despair of the black nationalist.
how does king support this claim?
by listing churches who support his nonviolent stand
by describing nonviolent direct action as a peaceful middle ground
by urging church leaders to abandon their do nothing approaches
by insisting that complacency is preferable to hatred and violence

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The excerpt doesn't mention listing churches, so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: King says he stands between "do nothingism" and "hatred/despair", and nonviolent direct action would be the middle ground (not doing nothing and not being full of hatred/despair), so this matches.
3. Analyze the third option: The excerpt isn't about urging church leaders to abandon "do nothing" approaches, it's about his own stance between two forces.
4. Analyze the fourth option: King says to emulate neither, so he doesn't think complacency is preferable.

Answer:

B. by describing nonviolent direct action as a peaceful middle ground