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#Written by David Tam, 1993-1994. #
#davidkftam@netscape.net Copyright 1999#
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"Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior" - Grade 11 English Thesis
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Martin Luther King made historical contributions to society. He was an
influential man with a powerful dream, a dream that society would one day
judge individuals by the content of their character, and not by the colour of
their skin.(1) His life-long struggle against racism influenced America
greatly. Though his previous experience as a preacher greatly enhanced his
abilities in public speaking, this was not the main factor behind his
achievements. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior was successful in capturing
America's attention and focusing it on racial injustice because of his
nonviolent actions, his influence on minority groups, and because of the
reactions from the authorities. As a result of his accomplishments, society
is one step closer to racial equality.
Martin Luther King's use of nonviolent actions was unique in America and
it proved to be successful against an unprepared society. In 1955, he
organized the Montgomery Alabama bus boycott in which 50 000 Negroes abstained
from riding the municipal transit system for 381 days. This famous boycott
nicknamed, "The Miracle of Montgomery", was the beginning of a long but
peaceful battle against racial injustice. He led many peaceful protest marches
and stressed the importance of battling hatred and injustice with love. "Let
us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of
bitterness and hatred."(2) He gave the Negro community pride, dignity,
spirit, and courage. However, a protest march in Memphis on March 28, 1968
turned violent. Being a determined man, he returned one month later in the
hopes of re-establishing a peaceful march. Protest marches were led by Martin
Luther King in numerous cities in the southern regions of the United States,
where segregation was notorious. These cities included Birmingham, Albany,
Memphis, and many others. He willingly went to prison on numerous occasions
because he believed in the judicial system. In prison, he wrote his famous
"Birmingham Letter From Jail". On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King and
other black leaders led "The March on Washington" where he delivered his
renowned "I Have a Dream" speech to a quarter of a million people, at the
Lincoln Memorial. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and delivered
another famous speech, "I've been to the Mountaintop". America became
interested in his cause because of his unique style of resistance. His
nonviolent philosophy was easily applied by many ordinary citizens.
His influence on minority groups caused many of them to implement his
philosophy to fight racial injustice, which heightened America's participation
and awareness of this activity. Many different groups formed because of Martin
Luther King's actions. They adopted his peaceful philosophy of nonviolent
resistance. These groups included: The Student Non-Violent Coordinating
Committee (SNCC), The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and The
Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). White colleges of the North united with
Negro colleges of the South to battle racial injustice throughout the United
States. Peaceful sit-in protests at restaurants, that did not serve Negroes,
became popular. Citizens, who were nick-named "freedom riders", travelled in
buses across the United States to test the segregation laws at public bus
terminals. Hunger strikes and freedom songs became popular because of Martin
Luther King. These courageous citizens fought racism by implementing his
philosophy. Many also followed his example by willingly going to prison.
Martin Luther King sparked a fire within America's heart, causing many
citizens to participate in the drive for racial justice. Not only did his
actions influence citizens, but authorities as well.
Little did the authorities know that their reactions would have brought
unwanted media attention, helping to fuel the fire of racial justice. As a
result of the Montgomery bus boycott and Martin Luther King's arrest for
boycotting, the U.S. federal court declared the segregation laws to be
unconstitutional. When the lawyers of the city of Montgomery appealed the case
to a higher court, the U.S. supreme court also arrived to the same conclusion.
This was a severe set-back on the intentions of the white supremacists of the
city council. President Kennedy responded to the incident with the drafting of
the Civil Rights Bill. The actual signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1968
insured the integration of public facilities and schools, and prohibited
racial discrimination in the sale or rental of housing.(3) The reactions from
authorities to the protest marches were mild in the beginning. Martin Luther
King was sent to jail for various minor offenses such as boycotting,
obstructing the sidewalk, failure to obey an officer, and disorderly conduct.
In the beginning, protestors were fined and sent to prison. Eventually, when
businesses began to lose money from such boycotts, authorities of the local
towns began harassing Negroes and protestors. From the actions of the freedom
fighters, white supremacy became stronger than ever. The Klu Klux Klan was
involved in many beatings, murders, and bombings of anyone associated with
Negroes. They also bombed, terrorized, assaulted, and killed freedom riders.
There were many martyrs and innocent victims. The police commissioner of
Birmingham, Eugene "Bull" Connor, was notorious for his brutal treatment of
protestors. Children protesting racial injustice were attacked by police dogs,
and blasted with high pressure fire hoses. State troopers and sheriffs
attacked and assaulted peaceful protestors at other demonstrations as well.
These events, which were captured by the media, shocked the nation. Another
event which involved the use of the U.S. National Guards to protect protestors
caused similar attention as well. Like most leaders who fought for a cause,
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the
Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Violence erupted throughout the United
States and these events received an immense amount of media attention. His
life-long struggle would not be forgotten as a national holiday was declared
to commemorate him. Because the aggressive reactions from those who were
against racial equality were very cruel, the revelation by the media shocked
Americans and naturally caused them to show sympathy.
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior was successful in leading America towards
the dream of racial equality. His nonviolent actions proved to be very
effective in capturing the nation's attention, because of its uniqueness in
the Western World. His simple, yet unique philosophy influenced minority
groups and allowed ordinary citizens to fight for racial equality. The
reactions from authorities brought media attention, causing America to
sympathize. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior was one of the few great men of
America who made a significant contribution to society.
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End Notes
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1 Martin Luther King, "I Have a Dream" in- Martin Luther King, Jr
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ed, Flip Schulke (Markham: Penguin Books Canada Ltd., 1976), p 218.
2 King, p 218.
3 Flip Schulke and Renelope McPhee, King Remembered
(Toronto: Pocket Books, 1986), p 276. ---------------
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Bibliography
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Clayton, Ed. Martin Luther King: The Peaceful Warrior.
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New York: Pocket Books, 1969.
Schulke, Flip. Martin Luther King, Jr. Markham:
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Penguin Books Canada Ltd., 1976.
Schulke, Flip, and Penelope McPhee. King Remembered.
Toronto: Pocket Books, 1986. ---------------
Shuker, Nancy. "Martin Luther King." World Leaders Past & Present.
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New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1985.
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