Martin Luther King Jr example essay topic

"If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live... ". (Miller, 121). These are the words of Martin Luther King Jr. as he speaks to a generation of followers with all the same goal in their eyes, racial equality.

Born as a second child in Atlanta on January 15, 1929 to the son of a minister, King was a leader of one of the most influential movements in the U.S. causing people of all ages to come together in non-violent protests all for the same cause. Attending Morehouse College at the age of 15, King was a well educated person who is known for his work in the civil rights movement and his famous "I have a dream" speech. Married to Coretta Scott on June 18, 1953, MLK went on to accomplish many things in his life that would earn him the honor of noble peace prize holder. Although the negativity he received throughout his short life, King fought the odds and became one of the greatest influences of the African American civil rights movement. Racism... the belief that a particular race is superior to others; discrimination or prejudice based on race. (Websters, 723) King began his quest for racial equality in his childhood.

Times were rough for African Americans even for those who were not old enough to understand race and color. King had noticed the inequalities to African Americans at an early age when he himself was not permitted to play with his "white" friends. From that day forth a man emerged from a child sharing his thoughts and dreams with the world. As he states his dream in his most famous speech delivered on August 28, 1963: I have a dream that one day, even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. -Wells, 177 In that same speech King mentions the emancipation proclamation being signed from "a great American" as light of hope to Negro slaves who had been victims of injustices. "But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free; one hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination".

(Wells, 168) Even the work of past presidents before king was not abide by leaving the United States truly divided King was a strong believer in non-violent protests. After civil rights activists Rosa Park refused to fallow Montgomery's segregation policy on December 5, 1955, African American's launched a bus boycott were Martin Luther king was elected president of the newly-formed Montgomery Improvement Association. The boycott went on until 1956 and made kings name a national symbol for his role in the campaign. Supreme Court then declared Alabama's segregation laws unconstitutional which caused the Montgomery buses to be desegregated.

After the success of the boycott king and other African American ministers created the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. King also toured his great ideas overseas. In order for him to develop his understanding of Gandhi's nonviolent protests, king traveled to India in 1959. His involvement in India was great as he supported the people and showed their impoverished lifestyles to the public. "More than a million people sleep on the sidewalks of Bombay every night; more than half a million people sleep on the sidewalks of Calcutta every night". (Wells, 290).

Kings view did not only him to think of the Africans suffering in America, but people all over the world who have lives that are not equal to those of others. Later on returning to Atlanta to become co-pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church with his father As Kings popularity began to rise in the late 1950's more and more people began to hate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. due to the fact he opposed many southerners views on slavery. As king conveyed his message of non-violence, African American students began organized sit-in protests which led to the beginning of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNC C). King strongly supported this group by expressing them being the future of America. "The youngsters of our community are of greater importance now then ever due to their great involvement and effectiveness in sit-in protests".

(Miller, 246) This later contradicted itself when in 1961 the "Freedom Rides" raised tensions between King and younger activists, as he was criticized for not participating in the rides. Later leading to his failed attempt in Albany, Georgia were he was arrested and jailed. The following year would be filled with certain events that changed the momentum in the civil rights campaign. On Good Friday, April 12, 1963 King was arrested by Police Commissioner Eugene Connor for demonstrating without a permit.

The next day proved to be the turning point in fight for civil justice when the Birmingham campaign is launched. During Kings time spent in jail, eleven days, king went on to write his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail". On May 10th, the Birmingham agreement is announced and the stored, restaurants, and schools would not be segregated anymore. Black would now be hired and charges dropped. Following this event King lead 125,000 people on a "Freedom Walk" in Detroit. "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation".

(Wells, 168) And indeed an accordance of more two hundred thousand people showed up at the March on Washington. This would become as King says "the greatest demonstration of freedom in the history of this nation". With more than two hundred thousand people watching, Martin Luther king Jr. gave the speech in his entire life time. Although many great things happened in 1963, November brought the assassination of the late President Kennedy. Kings name began to grow as he became Time magazine's Man of the Year in 1963 and receiving the Nobel Peace Price the following year in 1964. Kings thoughts and views weren't always accepted by the African Americans.

His thoughts cam in conflict within the movement's leadership. Malcolm X gave the message of self-defense and black nationalism which was received by the northern more urban African Americans compared to Kings call for non-violence. More and more were King's ideas being challenged not only by his own people but by the increasing resistance he received from national political leaders. FBI director J. Edgar Hoover tried extensively to corrupt King's leadership as urban racial violence rose and the publics' criticism of "U.S. intervention" in the Vietnam war led to bad relations with the president at the time, Lyndon Johnson. King's days were shortly ended when he was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. "The murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has thrust a lance into the soul of America".

(Wells 297) The murder caused riots in 130 American cities counting up to twenty thousand arrests. King was buried on April 19, 1968 as his funeral was an international event. Within a week of his assassination, the open Housing Act is passed. Martin Luther king achieved many things in his lifetime from nonviolent protests and programs run under his lead.

Today his work is shown through daily interaction. By far Martin Luther King, Jr., was the greatest influence on African American civil rights movement and has shaped the world today. "Truly we are seeing the work of King being played out everyday... ". (Wells, 299) Although at times being criticized by many, King brought his dream to life by following in what he believed in and made the impossible possible. Even though he did not live long enough to see the effects of his work, he is still in the hearts of millions around the world grateful to his contribution to the African American Civil Rights movement.

Bibliography

Hitt, L. Human Rights. San Diego, California: Green haven Press, 2002.
Marshall, T. Segregation. Albany, NY: Westwind Press, 1997 Miller, J.
Civil Rights of African Americans: Seattle, Washington: Apple, 1991 Verne ll, M.
Leaders of Black Civil Rights San Diego, California: Lucent, 2000 Wells, D.
We Have a Dream New York, NY: Carroll & Graf, 1994.