Martin Luther king Jr. a leader of the civil rights. One of the most influential people of the hard segregated times. Martin gave African-Americans a thought of relief in the hard times of segregation with his words and peaceful movements. Martin traveled all over the country speaking to people about the wrongful Jim crow laws and discrimination of African Americans. He is well known for his speeches that have changed so many peoples thought process when it comes to the laws all together. Martin the leader of the civil right movement was thrown in jail thirty times for his resistance in his peaceful marches. I feel that shows just how dedicated he was to his movement and how he wasn't going to stop by any means necessary.
Martin a man of peace gave his all for the in just laws we faced at the time. African Americans achieved so much in the last thirteen years of Martins life then they were ever able of capable of doing in the last three hundred and fifty. What I think people didn't understand from this man is that he did not want to be treated better he only wanted to be treated fair. What he was asking for wasn't much to give at all but far from ordinary. I think white's biggest fear of giving blacks equality was there fear of blacks trying to treat whites exactly how they treated them. I do believe whites knew what they were doing was morally wrong, but it was a change that wasn't going to happen overnight.
What a lot of people don't know is Martin celebrity stature didn't come until after the incident with Rosa Parks a black women who chose not to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus. When she took a stand it led to a bus boycott in which Dr. king was asked to be the president off. This boycott was one of the biggest movements in American history. I personally believe this is when other races started to open there eyes realizing they need to treat black people fairly to keep the economy going.
Martin was just getting started soon after that around 1963 Martin started putting together peaceful marches in some of the most segregated places in America the south. Even blacks questioned his judgment for doing things like this for how well known places like Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, and Georgia that still were not appreciative of slavery being over (Ross). I realized Martin was doing this to show the courage that African Americans were going to need if they wanted to make a difference.
Protesting in the south is when Martin started getting into trouble and thrown in jail. White America realized just how much power he had. Martin powerful March on Washington where his speech "I Have A Dream" was given showed us the passion and emotion in his powerful words that moved our nation to action (Ross). Despite being brutalized and harassed beyond any reason he still stood for peace and brotherhood when other blacks would be plotting for revenge. After this speech Martin became a force to be reckon with, they wanted equal rights and they were willing to do anything that is peaceful to get them and indeed they did.
Martins accomplishments didn't go unnoticed he became and still is the youngest person to ever receive a Nobel peace award (Ross). Soon after that finally Martins only goal that he ever really wanted was accomplished in 1964 congress passed the civil rights act ending all segregation (Ross). Two years after that Martin was assassinated so he didn't not get to truly see his dream unravel. I do know he would be proud to how far we have came. Martins assassination shocked the whole black community.
Dr. king is given the day January 20th as his national holiday to celebrate him and all that he did. President Reagan made this a holiday after six million petitions. At 1st government wasn't so sure if he deserved a national holiday but after all those petitions. Ronald Reagan finally mad it clear, January 20th people from all over the country observed and give thanks to all Martin did. An interesting fact is they really wanted MLK day to be on January 15th his birthday but the government thought the day was to close to Christmas and new years (Ross). I am thankful personally for all Martin did without his courage and strength to help African Americans we wouldn't have the roles that are we in today. I am glad to say Martin your dream has came true.
Ross, Shmuel Q., and David P. Johnson. "The History of Martin Luther King Day." Infoplease. 2007 Pearson Education, 3 Feb. 2000. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Martin Luther King Jr. - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2013. Web. 15 Apr 2014. <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.htm
But was January 20th actually Dr. King's birthday? Or is it that "closest Monday" that we tend to do in America when we honor important American figures...so that it streamlines with a holiday? I always thought that was a bit strange--avoiding the right day.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great topic here--share your resources. I'm sure most classmates are familiar with much of Dr. King's public story--but not all the pieces are common knowledge. So then what you have to do is include sources where the information isn't common. Name them in each paragraph where used, and either hyperlink to the source or create an old-fashioned in-text citation and works cited entry. That way, you're keeping with the academic standards of the class while you explore the important stories of civil rights figures in America.