Martin Luther King by Charlie Smith [S]

Background Info

csmit01 — 2021-03-05 00:18:40 UTC

Martin Luther King, born on January 15th, 1929, was a social activist who played a significant role in the American Civil Rights Movement, starting in the mid-1950s. King was subjected to segregation at an early age when attending a segregated school, Morehouse College, and he later went on to study and earn a doctorate in systematic theology. A few years later, he became the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in 1953. (History, 2021) Growing up, King was surrounded and influenced by activists, including his dad, a pastor who influenced his worldview and one of the motivating factors why King chose to become a pastor himself. King devoted his life to the fight for civil rights and became the movements visual spokesperson and was rewarded with a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his means of non-violent resistance to racial prejudice.

How are they truly radical?

csmit01 — 2021-03-05 00:43:08 UTC

Martin Luther King was a truly radical activist as he challenged the highly racist worldview that was prominent in America during the 1900s. Martin Luther King believed in non-violent means of protest, and stood by this throughout the entire time in which he was advocating for equal rights. King helped achieve and make people aware that everyone is human,` no matter their race, should be granted equal rights. King's "I have a dream" speech encouraged a more open-minded view of the world, enlightening that even after 100 years after Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, African American people are still not free of prejudice. (History, 2021) The emancipation proclamation being a document issuing that all people held as slaves are now declared free. This fact is evident in the quote from his speech. "the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land." Martin Luther King's views on society was based on inclusivity for all people. He had imagined a view of a world that was fair, one which was also included the wellbeing and rights of the African American people. He decided not to conform to the worldview, which at the time was considered societal norms, and instead stood up for what he thought was right and what he believed in. He challenged the status quo and put himself out there no matter the challenges he was faced with.

csmit01 — 2021-03-05 00:56:03 UTC

A riot is the language of the unheard.

What have you found inspiring?

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 02:30:12 UTC

Overall, I found this study on Martin Luther very inspiring. King was someone who, despite the challenges he was met with and the people who opposed his worldview, managed to push through adversity and create a change in the world. I can admire Martin Luther King as someone who was incredibly brave and courageous. King's journey was not an easy one as many white supremacists tried to stop him, including a crime where his house was firebombed and another where he was stabbed in the chest. King was a truly inspiring man who fought for what he thought was right and never resorted to violence or forceable means in order to achieve his goal. This investigation was enlightened me and made me realise that peace is always achievable through non-violent means, something which nowadays is much less common. It has shown me that words are powerful things and when used correctly, can create an immense impact on the world.

Compare and contrast

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 02:33:34 UTC

The culture of the time had a worldview that was racially segregated. In the US, people were separated by race, and this was displayed in many ways. Many people believed that black and white Americans should be separated and were incapable of coexisting. The first official actions which were taken towards segregation in America were the "Jim Crow Laws". (History, 2021) These laws divided black Americans from white Americans and gave them fewer privileges and opportunities. Basic facilities were divided by race, such as toilets and even segregated schools were prominent during the time. Trains were split into different carriages, and real estate was often only sold to white Americans. In other places, African Americans were simply forbidden to enter, such as public playgrounds. Notably, neighbourhoods and schools were divided and even basic facilities such as amusement-park cashier windows were unavailbable for people of colour. (Williams, 2021) Martin Luther King decided that this was unjust, and he needed to make a change in the world. The worldview that King had was one where both black and white Americans could coexist together. He wanted the African American to have the same oppurtunities and rights similar to that of any other Americans. He wanted to end racial discrimination in the United States

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:12:47 UTC

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:14:08 UTC

HISTORY. 2021. Martin Luther King, Jr.. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:15:37 UTC

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:16:27 UTC

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2021. Martin Luther King, Jr. | Biography, Speeches, Facts, & Assassination. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:18:46 UTC

The Speech

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:19:10 UTC

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:21:01 UTC

Youtube.com. 2019. I Have a Dream speech. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

In what way may your person have been less than perfect?

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:57:45 UTC

In no way was Martin Luther King "perfect". Throughout his life, he had been known to have some marital affairs which occurred more than once. (Fitzroy, 2018) He also admitted to plagiarising works of other people whilst studying theology. His views on homosexuality were somewhat detrimental as he believed that it was a "mental disease that could be prayed away". These flaws shed light on the fact that everyone is human. Everyone has flaws, and no human can be perfect in every way. It goes to show that no matter the mistakes you make, you can still achieve greatness, and instead, mistakes should be a way of learning how to become a better person.

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:58:59 UTC

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 08:59:23 UTC

Google.com. 2021. martin luther king - Google Search. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

Bibliography

csmit01 — 2021-03-09 09:00:12 UTC

HISTORY. 2021. Martin Luther King, Jr.. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

HISTORY. 2021. A Look Back at Segregation in the United States. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

Urofsky, M., 2021. Jim Crow law. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

Americanhistory.si.edu. 2021. Jim Crow Laws - Separate Is Not Equal. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].

Williams, A., 2021. Segregation in the US. [online] America is more diverse than ever — but still segregated. Available at: [Accessed 9 March 2021].