Question

read the excerpt from dr. martin luther kings \letter from birmingham jail.\ frankly, i have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was \well timed\ in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. what is the authors purpose for including this sentence? to establish the suffering experienced under segregation to define the concept of a direct action campaign to criticize the public officials who endorse segregation to explain his unwillingness to postpone his efforts

Explanation:

The sentence contrasts those who haven't suffered from segregation (who might think direct action campaigns aren't "well timed") with the author's experience. The purpose is to explain why he won't postpone his efforts—because those who haven't suffered don't understand the urgency, so he won't wait for their approval. The first option is about establishing suffering, but the sentence is more about his unwillingness to delay. The second option is incorrect as it doesn't define direct action. The third option is incorrect as it doesn't criticize officials. So the correct purpose is to explain his unwillingness to postpone efforts.

Answer:

D. to explain his unwillingness to postpone his efforts