Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born Michael but changed later, was a leader in the American civil rights movement. He was born on the 15th January, 1929 to Martin Luther and Alberta King. He lived with his younger brother Alfred Daniel and older sister Christine, his parents, and his grandmother in Auburn Avenue.
Martin Luther King, Jr. helped the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957. He was the first president of this American civil rights organization. Before that, he was part of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. This started when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to comply with the Jim Crow laws that required her to give up her seat to a white man. Martin was part of the Washington rally with the SCLC in 1963. This is where he spoke his infamous speech, "I Have a Dream", from the the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. A year later, he was awarded for the Nobel Peace Prize on the 14th October, 1964. He became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Martin was probably most remembered for his speech, "I Have a Dream" during the Washington rally, and was the younged recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He will be remembered as an influential leader in the American civil rights movement, and his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through non-violent means.
Howard Thurman, a civil rights leader, theologian, and educator was an early influence on Martin. Howard mentored a young Martin and his friends. Walter Fluker, who studied Howard Thurman's writings, believed there wouldn't be a Martin Luther King, Jr. without Howard Thurman. Martin was also influenced by Mohandes Gandhi. Martin visited Mohande's family in India in 1959. “Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation," Martin reflected. African American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin was King's main advisor and mentor during his early activisim.
Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in equality between different races and religion, and to end segregation. He believed that people should not be judged by the colour of their skin, but their character. He believed that all men are created equal. He believed that everyone, white and black people, Jews and Gentiles, and Protestants and Catholics, will be able to live without violence and live equally, and in his speech, "I Have a Dream", the people will hold hands and sing an old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!".
Howard Thurman, a civil rights leader, theologian, and educator was an early influence on Martin. Howard mentored a young Martin and his friends. Walter Fluker, who studied Howard Thurman's writings, believed there wouldn't be a Martin Luther King, Jr. without Howard Thurman. Martin was also influenced by Mohandes Gandhi. Martin visited Mohande's family in India in 1959. “Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation," Martin reflected. African American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin was King's main advisor and mentor during his early activisim.
Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in equality between different races and religion, and to end segregation. He believed that people should not be judged by the colour of their skin, but their character. He believed that all men are created equal. He believed that everyone, white and black people, Jews and Gentiles, and Protestants and Catholics, will be able to live without violence and live equally, and in his speech, "I Have a Dream", the people will hold hands and sing an old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!".
Martin Luther King will be remembered as an inspiring and courageous leader that stood up to the world to get his point across without using violent ways. Despite being a non-violent person, he was often arrested because of segregation laws and even had his house bombed. Despite this, he still had the courage to bring his point across. Unfortunately, his luck ran out and was assasinated on the 4th of April, 1968.
Because of Martin, USA and the world are more tolerant of other races. Obviously racism hasn't disappeared completely, but it has certainly decreased. Martin inspired people to stand up for their country and get their point across without using violence.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/special/mlk/
No comments:
Post a Comment