The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had a common purpose for African Americans; justice and equality. Illustrated through their speeches, Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” and Malcolm X’s “Talk to Young African Americans”, the two did not share techniques or ideas. Yet both men had the support of millions and millions of people.

He played ten years in his MLB career, all with the Dodgers. In his whole career he had 740 walks and 291 strikeouts which is very low. Also,

Jackie Robinson the super athlete in college and one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Also youngest of 5 children with a Dad that abandoned them at a young age. He played basketball, baseball, track, football, golf as a teen in high school after he moved from Georgia to Southern California.

Robinson’s great career at Pasadena Junior College led to him receiving many athletic scholarships from a variety of prestigious universities. From these, he chose to stay close to his family by choosing UCLA. Jackie wasn’t accustomed to the wealthy atmosphere of the school; however, he fit right in when playing sports (Scott, 1987). Jackie decided to leave college without completing his degree, believing that it wouldn’t benefit him in gaining a job because it wouldn’t change his skin color. This was a very tough decision for him considering his mother had always wanted to see him graduate college, but Jackie would continue his life’s journey in the army (Scott,

Jackie Robinson was a famous black baseball player. When he joined the league everyone made fun of him. His teammates were mean to him but he could not fight for himself. When he is on the field he could not talk back to people talk about him meanly. If he does any of this stuff he will get kicked off the field.

His color did not affect how he played.  Jackie was a National League Batting and Stolen Bases Champion with a batting average of 342 and 37 stolen bases in 1949. Also he was known as the six time All Star between 1949 and 1954. Jackie even took his team to the World Series. He was honored with many awards, which is why he made hope possible for African Americans athletes.

Jackie’s family moved to California when he was a small child. Growing up in poverty in a well off neighborhood of Pasadena led him to join a small gang which a close friend of his encouraged him to leave. It was only then in high school did he realize his athletic ability which would destiny him for greatness. At John Muir High School which he attended with his older brother a great athlete in his own way who had already won a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics encouraged him to take up sports. Jackie would go on to play a number of Varsity level sports which saw him lettered in the four major ones Football, basketball, track and baseball. Little did he know he would be changing the face of baseball America’s favorite pastime in years to come.

When he was first born he and his family had moved to california so they would have a better childhood. When in college he met his future to be wife. When on a bus he had gotten arrested for not moving from the front to the back because of a white person. He was a WW2 veteran but got relieved of his duties respectfully. After being with his wife they had 3 children. One of jackie's children were killed in a car accident.

Socrates, a Greek philosopher, gave the foundation of the logic and philosophy known today. In Crito, he claims that one should never do wrong and, one should never do wrong in return no matter what the outcome or circumstances are. Similarly, Martin Luther King argues that one should not fight back violently but should fight back in a peaceful manner. In this essay, I argue that Socrates’ argument about never doing wrong and never to do wrong in return to be convincing. Also, I argue that Martin Luther King’s argument is justifiable.

When you hear the name Martin Luther King Jr., what is the first thing that comes to you mind? Is it your recognition to him for fighting for unity of all people or his speeches; filled with wisdom and were extremely persuasive. When I think about ways to contribute to Martin Luther King Jr's. legacy several things come to mind. Volunteering in my community to better the lives of those around me. I can assist by helping out in soup kitchens, tutoring children or even cleaning up the environment to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

As I reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, I cannot help think about the hatred and divisiveness that has permeated and saturated our nation’s political climate. On social media, alone, the name-calling, character bashing, unfriending, bullying and blocking over politics amongst those who once called each other friends has been, for lack of a better word, sad. I have strong and passionate opinions about the subject of politics. But I choose to respect, love and appreciate all my relatives and friends, regardless of political affiliation while still holding steadfast to my own viewpoints, values and convictions. I choose to agree to disagree and still love and respect those whose opinions differ from mine. Not only because I think

In reference to black history month, there has been few greater examples of peaceful protest positively impacting society, than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. Dr. King’s quote, “the moral arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice” speaks volumes especially when displayed with his actions of civil disobedience. Throughout the arc of history one could conclude that civil disobedience has and will continue to positively affect society.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist from the 1950’s to 1968 with a strong religious background. A strong advocator for all minorities, King did all in his power to end barriers of community; poverty, racism and militarism. The principle he focused more on, however, was racism. King defined racism as prejudice, apartheid, ethnic conflict, anti-Semitism, sexism, colonialism, homophobia, ageism, or discrimination against disabled groups and stereotypes. Later turning his efforts to poverty, King believed that the United States should have equal rights for all men, women and children. Martin Luther King Jr. had a strong philosophy of non-violent protests, called civil disobedience, to which he gained supporters, changing the

Martin Luther King Jr. gave his now famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 for the March on Washington. Born to a Baptist minister in Atlanta, Georgia, King became a Civil rights activist who promoted peace rather than violence. His background before being known as the civil rights activist was being the first president of the southern Christian leadership conference, then became the leading spokesman for the civil rights movement. King preaches to fight for freedom with dignity and discipline. He later speaks about how slaves were freed but the black race in itself is still not free. All of his boycotts and protests were all done without any type of violence, king insists that “there is something I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds.” (302) The black races face segregation and discrimination in their everyday life. His fight isn’t only for the freedom of all but Justice for “all of God’s children” (302) It is made clear that King has the dream that one day all races will be equal. He wants his children to grow up in a world where they aren’t judged by what their skin color is, King declares, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” (303) Hope is a continuous message that is brought out through the entire

King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1929-1968), American clergyman and Nobel Prize winner, one of the principal leaders of the American civil rights movement and a prominent advocate of nonviolent protest. King’s challenges to segregation and racial discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s helped convince many white Americans to support the cause of civil rights in the United States. After his assassination in 1968, King became a symbol of protest in the struggle for racial justice.