The legacy of the great civil right leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to be a topic of much debate nearly a half century after his assassination. This literature review on a more broad and complete view of Dr. Kings legacy and ideals. Dr. King was for racial integration but later on in his life he developed more radical economic views on the distribution of wealth in the United States. Dr. King was a lot more complex then the saint he has been portrayed as in history textbooks. This review will discuss Dr. King as a civil rights leader who had a radical philosophy on economics. Dr. King early in his career as an activist focused on racial integration but later he broadened his focus on fighting for broader economic and social justice according to Dreier (2014). Dr. Kings’ early work involved leading people in the freedom rides and Montgomery Bus boycotts. Dreier (2014) argues that Dr. Kings more radical stance on poverty was strongly influenced by a civil rights campaign he organized in Chicago in 1965. King saw that the big problem in the ghettos was not legal separation but economic exploitation. King had a radical stance on economic poverty a side of him some argue is not adequately portrayed in American textbooks. …show more content…
King as a saint or Moses like figure who led the blacks the same way Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Aldridge (2006) explains that this portrayal prevents people from having a more complete view on Dr. King, what he stood for, and how his ideologies changed over time based on his experiences. Dr. King had such radical economic views that the FBI feared he had communist ties and as a result wiretapped him from 1962 until his death. The complexities of Dr. King can cause one to ask the question; was king an integrationist preacher or leftist social
The pivotal argument that suggests individual leadership progressed the movement, is the argument centred around Martin Luther King. Anthony Badger states ‘no person was more important than King’. On the other hand historians differ in their assessment of King’s importance debating that ‘King was lead rather than leading’. King stood out due to his commitment to nonviolence.This approach to social reform and political activism was socially efficient as it permitted the African-Americans to be heard, without demolishing their reputation. It also prevented the African-Americans from stooping to the level of White extremists. The method proved to be a social and political success in the Birmingham Campaign (1963). King and the SCLC were protesting
African American people have come a long way from the illiterate slaves, who were once picking cotton in fields, to powerful political leaders. A prime example would be President Barack Obama, the first African American president of the United States of America. But first we must ask ourselves, how did this occur? Who lead African Americans to better living standards? Civil rights leaders, such as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks, just to name a few. However, among these great names in history, there is one that stands out, and that man is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King gave hope to those in need with his awe inspiring sermons he performed at the church his grandfather founded. He changed foes to
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will discuss how his leadership has impacted both America as a whole and the United States Army, as well as how Dr. King has influenced my own life as a Soldier, Military Intelligence professional, and leader.
One thing that has impact the world was martin luther king's speech.There is several reasons i think he had a huge impact on the world. He was the reason we get along with blacks. He's the one that didn't want to be mistreated because he's black.
King, Jr. was a strong believer in the fact that every race should be treated equally to one another. As Edward Berry stated in his own Rhetorical Analysis, “Doing Time: King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail””, King dreamed of a time where whites and blacks could be equal (111). Some of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s largest achievements through this movement where the March on Washington, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and obviously the Birmingham Campaign. He gave his all into this movement and on April 4, 1969, at the young age of 39, was assassinated because of his belief in racial equality and gave his life for the Civil Rights Campaign. Like Martin Luther King said in his piece, “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, “I am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom far beyond my own hometown (1). And that he did. Which is one of the biggest reasons that he is so widely remembered in the United States of America and
One of the many influential people in American History was Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was a pastor in the Baptist faith, but he also was a leader in the advancement of colored people. During Dr. King’s time, segregation was at an all time high throughout the nation. But Dr. King, didn’t believe in violent protest, instead he insisted non-violent protest was the way to go. Dr. King held multiple speeches in multiple states about civil rights in America, until he reached the national level. On August
Dr. King tussled with the cares of life looking for solutions, concern for his family, and stood up for righteousness, justice, and truth. Dr. King knew what he was up against was daunting and knew enough to call on the name of Jesus. Dr. King believed in the power of prayer even through the countless number of threats he received and even arrested he stood unyielding for what is right, justice. Dr. King refused to sink in the quick-sands of racism and abhorrence. Dr. King realized that he had to alter the mindset of society if change was to come.
Dr. King leaves a lasting legacy for Memphis, Tennessee and the United States of America. Many courageous people, including King and the Memphis sanitation workers, sacrificed their lives for the cause of civil rights. Memphis sanitation workers were inspired by King’s work which allowed them to stand up and be counted as men. “Today, Dr. King is considered to be one of the most important figures of the 20th century, not only for African-Americans but for all those seeking freedom, justice, equality and peace. His unique approach to the philosophy of nonviolent action stands as one of the most successful alternatives to the world’s ongoing struggle against violent conflict, and against structural injustice (“Last Days and Legacy”).” King
When Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of his dream in ending racial segregation he knew how to incite action from his listeners. King challenged tens of thousands of Americans of all races in his age and era to move toward change. King emotionally moved individuals in this nation so much that they accepted his challenge of desegregation back then and continue to do so today. In fact, a staff writer at ushistory.org (2008) concluded that because of his efforts and the motivation he drove within his followers to fight for racial equality, “The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964… as well as The Voting Rights Act in 1965” (para.5). There were many tactics King used in order to motivate his followers in the fight for racial equality.
Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) is a man still discussed often about to this day. He had a huge effect on the racism and prejudice against black people. Through his many non violent protests, and speeches, he was able to gain the equal rights for not only black people, but all races. Before MLK gained the rights deserved by the segregated people, they couldn't do many of the things that they can do no, then. Some of the more important rights they gained were equal opportunities to voting, earning jobs, and education.
People do not acknowledge the struggles that African Americans had to endure for them to be treated equally, the way a true American is supposed to be treated. One of the ways they were not treated equally was by not being able to participate in sports with whites. From the beginning of our nation, colored people were highly disrespected and treated as if they were some type of animals, which have no say in what happens to them. They were not given any opportunities and were treated harshly because their skin color was different. Whites were able to practically do anything they wanted, unlike blacks, who were racially discriminated or beaten for no apparent reason. African Americans were among the worst treated races in the US; however,
I believe in art because it expresses a scenario closer to reality than any other form of movement. Art can make a person cry, or laugh, or scream just by relating with society’s feelings, repeating history, and letting creativity fly. It teaches people about tragedies going on now, or in the past, such as the heart throbbing dance choreography known as Legacy. My grandmother and I watched the production at a studio I’ve taken classes at for about one and a half years. Although my body forced itself to try its hardest during class, I was never completely intrigued in the movement, so combinations just seemed like steps. When we came into the small theater in University City, St. Louis, we gasped at the white, foaming ocean of tissues sweeping
King is remembered because of the Montgomery bus boycott, and Rosa Parks being arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person, she was a part of the bus boycott as well (Faragher, Buhle, Czitrom, & Armitage, 2009). Dr. King led the boycott in Montgomery bus system that lasted over a year (Faragher et al., 2009). Due to the boycott, White and African Americans in 2016, can sit together and ride the buses together without any hostility or violence. Several movement activists today view Dr. King as one of the most conspicuous among some of the most exceptional movement tacticians, ideologues, and strategists, influential leaders in the United States (Carson, 1987). In addition, Dr. King is known as a Civil Rights leader, which stood behind President Johnson as he signed the Civil Rights Bill in 1964 (Columbia Southern University (CSU) n.d.). I have expounded on how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr has left a lifelong legacy that is still bringing about change in the world we live in today. As well as the many events that are taking place yearly in his honor, in addition to his Federal Holiday that is being celebrated throughout the United States of America every year. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, is not only remembered in our society in the United States, but his legacy lives on around the
Martin Luther King Jr. states, ‘Faith is taking the step even when you don’t see the whole staircase’ (King). Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. His place of birth was Atlanta, Georgia. Faith was an important aspect of his life. His wife’s is Coretta Scott King. King organized the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). He attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated from Morehouse College and Boston University. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance led to his arrest on numerous occasions in in the 1950s and 60s. In 1963, he became the first African American to be named the Time Magazine’s Man of the Year. At the age of thirty five, he became the youngest man to have been honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. He donated the prize money of $54,123 to benefit the civil rights movement. Between 1957 and 1968, he traveled more than six million miles and spoke at more 2,500 events. King is the only non-president with a memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael King Jr. and his father stated that it was a mistake. Dr.King was incredibly smart as a young child, he skipped ninth and eleventh grade before making his way to Morehouse College at the age of fifteen. There are nine hundred streets named after King spanning over forty states in the United States. King was arrested thirty times trying to the civil rights of his peers. Dr. King was virtually unknown when he was named as a spokesman for the
A Biography of Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a dream…" are the famous words stated by Martin Luther King