Martin Luther King Jr.

“When MLK Jr. was a little boy, it saddened him that he could not befriend people who were not black. He knew in his heart that just because people may look different on the outside, the contents of their hearts and their character is what makes a person valuable. Martin Luther King, Jr. saw a social problem, developed a dream, and eventually by taking action he changed the United States as well as the world,” (Eiu). Martin Luther King Jr. was the greatest civil rights leader in history. Michael King, later known as Martin Luther King Jr. was born January 15, 1929 at 501 Auburn Ave. in Atlanta, Georgia. King attended David T. Howard Elementary, then Booker T. Washington High School. In 1944, King began his freshman year at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1948 King received his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Morehouse College. The most important people in Martin Luther King Jr's life were his wife Coretta Scott King and his four children, Yolanda, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott King, and Bernice King. A hero must possess courage and determination. Courage can be defined as strength in the face of pain or grief, and determination in the act of coming to a decision. Dr. King proves both of these qualities because even though he was beaten by the police, he always believed in nonviolent protests to achieve his dream. Martin Luther King Jr. showed courage by fighting for civil rights and having determination by never giving up on his dream to have equal rights and inspiring the many other generations that followed him. Therefore he is a hero.

Lyndon B. Johnson, Martin Luther King and civil rights activists, signing of Voting Rights ActYoichi Okamoto [Public Domain] LBJ Library

Martin Luther King Jr. is courageous because he put his own life in danger for civil rights. King’s religious and moral beliefs gave him the strength to face the anger that surrounded the racism of the time.“King was arrested numerous times as he led marches and other demonstrations. He lived a great deal of his life in the face of ugly crowds. King’s beliefs and courage prevailed” (Staff). This shows that Martin Luther king Jr. was committed changing the lives of African Americans no matter what the consequences were. This proves how courageous King was by facing hostile crowds and never retaliating. Martin Luther King Jr. had an education in theology. He received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Systematic Theology from Boston University. “Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic work on behalf of civil rights for all Americans was grounded in deep religious and moral beliefs. Less appreciated and acknowledged is the courage of his convictions” (Staff). He spent many years studying to be a pastor and working for civil rights causes. He believed in equal rights for all Americans in a time when people didn’t have the same rights. Martin Luther King Jr. put his life in danger by helping everyone to have equal rights.  

Martin Luther King Jr. was determined because he didn’t give up even when he faced violence. He was committed to fight for rights in a non-violent way. “Mindful of the difficulties involved, we decided to undertake a process of self purification. We began a series of workshops on nonviolence, and we repeatedly asked ourselves: 'Are you able to accept blows without retaliating?' 'Are you able to endure the ordeal of jail?'" (King). Martin Luther King Jr. hoped everyone around him also believed in being nonviolent so he could feel safe. He was inspired by Gandhi after his visited India. King led a 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and faced deadly violence along the way. "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy” (MLK). Kings goal was to show the difficulties black voters faced and the unfair voting laws in the South. The Selma March raised national awareness about racist practices in the South and how violence was used against nonviolent protesters. Martin Luther King Jr. proved his determination by exposing racism in America.

Martin Luther King Jr. inspired others across the United States with his civil rights movement. The children's march took place in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963 to bring awareness to the issue of segregation. The protesters included children who were sprayed with fire hoses, attacked by police dogs and arrested. “With the jails already filled to capacity, and the number of marchers growing, Eugene 'Bull' Connor (Commissioner of Public Safety in charge of the police and fire departments) tries to suppress the movement with violence. Instead of arresting the first group of marchers he orders his fire department to disperse them with fire hoses. But the students hold their ground, singing 'Freedom”'to the tune of the ancient hymn 'Amen.' Connor orders the water pressure increased to knock them off their feet and wash them away. Still singing, the young protesters sit down on the pavement and hunch their backs against the torrent” (Hudson & Houston). This shows the strength of the African American community, who stood up to the racist officials. Even the children fought for their equal rights. Over 1,000 children were arrested and put in jail. When the jail became full the police turned violent. “The young people of Birmingham braved arrest, fire hoses, and police dogs in 1963 and brought segregation to its knees” (Hudson & Houston). Martin Luther King Jr. not only inspired the country but he inspired African American youth to stand for themselves and their beliefs. Martin Luther King Jr. would not stop fighting for equal rights for all and inspired many to stand up and march for equality.

By showing courage and fighting for civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr. proved he was determined by never giving up on his dream to have equal rights and he inspired many other generations that followed him. Therefore he is my hero. King proved through his education in the ministries, his nonviolent protest and marches and his willingness to face violence and jail that he is courageous, determined and is a inspiration to all. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires me by fighting for my rights. America still has a way to go for everyone in this county to be treated equally.

Works Cited

Eiu. “Martin Luther King Jr. Contributions.” Robinson's Childhood, Eastern Illinois University, castle.eiu.edu/~wow/classes/fa03/mlkcontributions.html.

Hudson & Houston. “Mighty Times: The Children's March.” Teaching A People's History, Zinn Education Project, 2015, zinnedproject.org/materials/the-childrens-march/.

King, Jr., Martin Luther. “Civil Rights Era.” Teaching American History, teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/letter-from-birmingham-city-jail/.

Staff, Seattle Times. “Martin Luther King's Legacy of Courage.” The Seattle Times, The Seattle Times Company, 16 Jan. 2011, www.seattletimes.com/opinion/martin- luther-kings-legacy-of-courage.

“MLK Quote of the Week: Times of Challenge and Controversy.” Last Days & Legacy | The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, 19 Sept. 2013, www.thekingcenter.org/blog/mlk-quote-week-times-challenge-and-controversy.