Michael King Jr. is born January 15, 1929. Martin Luther was the new name adopted by his father and son. Nobel Peace Prize recipient Martin Luther has become known throughout the world for fighting for equality in all races, colours, and ethnicities. This essay will examine his life and motivations, as well as his achievements and death. Even today, the topic of racial inequality is important.
King grew up with his two brothers and sisters in Atlanta Georgia. His older sister Christine King Farris was also there. He was raised in a church by both his African-American parents. King said his father beat him as a child and told him: “I’ll make something of your, even if it means beating you to death.” King met a boy who was white and the two became friends. They started school at age six. King was forced to attend a school exclusively for African-American children, whereas his friend attended a white-only school. King lost a friend because his skin colour was different.
King was depressed throughout his lifetime. As a teenager, he also felt resentment toward whites because of the humiliation they felt. In the year following his grandmother’s passing, King attempted to jump out a 2-story window. He was only 12 years old. After winning an oratory contest at the age of 13, the bus driver asked him and his teacher, a black man, to stand on the bus so that the white passengers could sit. King refused at first, but when his teacher told him he had broken the law he agreed. King claimed he’d never felt so angry at that time.
King began his political career in 1955 as a member of the “Montgomery Bus Boycott”. The boycott was started by Rosa Park who refused to give her bus seat up to a non-black person. Rosa Park was arrested and the anger of blacks was sparked. The boycott was so severe that King himself was arrested. After the boycott, a court trial was held where it was decided that Montgomery public buses could no longer be segregated based on race.
The March for Jobs and Freedom for Jobs and Freedom for Jobs and Freedom for Jobs and Freedom for Freedom and Jobs took place in Washington, DC on 6 August 1963. Martin Luther King, who was one of its six leaders, hosted the march. Around 200-300 thousand participants were estimated. The Lincoln Memorial was where speeches were given. At the time, this was the largest demonstration in American history for freedom. Martin Luther King gave a speech that is known today as the “I Have a Dream Speech.” This speech was a huge success because it was genuine and it didn’t skirt around the problem. The following is a short excerpt.
I dream of a day when, on the hills of Georgia’s red soil, sons of ex-slaves and former slave owners would be able eat together in a spirit of brotherhood. I have the dream that someday my four little ones will live in an area where their colour will not matter, but the quality of their character.
The speech has been hailed as one of most influential and significant speeches ever, especially in the history of civil rights.
King was at Memphis on the 29th March 1968 in support of black workers that had been underpaid for doing the same work as whites. King was to make a speech then fly home almost immediately. But, when a bomb-threat was called into the plane, it did not go according to plan. King had to stay at a Memphis motel, the Lorraine Motel, where he was forced by circumstances to stay. At 1:06 pm on April 4, a loud shot was heard and King’s left chin was hit as he was standing on his balcony. King was rushed into the hospital and pronounced dead by 7:05. James Earl Ray was revealed as the murderer.
King’s influence is widely regarded as a major factor in the Black Rights and Civil Rights Movement. King’s non-violent method of politicking is also a reason why he is a popular icon in America. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in his lifetime, and a few years later he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His legacy is still being felt today. Martin Luther King’s day is an example. It is celebrated on the third Monday in January. The most important part of King’s legacy, however, is his spirit. This can help us to see that we can do anything, so long as there are discussions.
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