How important was the role of Martin Luther King in improving the lives of Black Americans between 1954 and 1970? Martin Luther King is the person most people associate with the black civil rights movement. This is with good reason at it is impossible to deny he had a positive effect on the fight for rights for blacks, but has his part in the long struggle for black rights been exaggerated? This essay looks at the effect he had, and compares it to the effect other people and groups had. Martin Luther King’s main principle was non-violence; he refused to use aggression as a force to get what he wanted.
I don’t believe he was ever violent with his war protests. The only thing in my opinion that could have been argued that John Lennon was endangering was the image of the government which made them feel threatened. I feel that John Lennon did a very good job of how he handled his opposition and I don’t believe he could have gone about it another way while staying peaceful. In my opinion I think the government handled the John Lennon situation very poorly, John only demonstrated peaceful protest, and he never harmed anyone. The government tried to have John Lennon deported on a charge that they dug up from his past in his country.
sMalcom X versus Martin Luther King Emily Voutes Malcolm X (1925-1965): Even his own name is a stab to the opinions of prejudice white folks during his era. This is true because his own, self declared last name "X" represents "the rejection of slave-names” and the absence of an inherited African name to take its place." Meaning that he was prepared to create a personal identity that represented himself and his race, and not a name that a white man forced upon him. Though they had similar characteristics and morals; his approach to the civil rights movement compared to the strategies of other civil rights leaders of his time, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. differed greatly. Rather than trying to integrate the black community into the white, Malcom X focused on the complete separation of the two races.
Lola Whitlow ENG102-Composition II Critically Reading a Position Essay-Part 2 a. The vivid imagery in Douglass’s speech gave the listeners a clear picture of exactly what the slaves endured. It gave them the opportunity to imagine “walking in the shoes” of a slave. Douglass’s description of the slave trade and its impact on individuals and families appealed to the following values: independence which the slaves did not have; basic values of what is right, good, or desirable (again, none were granted to the slaves); hard work and achievement (which was done by the slaves but was acknowledgement for it was given to the slave owners). He was giving an explicit speech about changes that needed to be made by strongly voicing to the audience that slaves did not have any place in the value structure.
The term Black Power became popular in the mid 1960’s thanks to black rights activist Stokely Carmichael. Although Stokely Carmichael did not spark the mood for change in the Civil rights movement, nor did he create the term “Black Power,” Carmichael did serve as the charismatic leader to help bring awareness to the struggle that every African American faced at the time. He was a master of expressing the frustrations of a younger generation of civil rights activist that identified to his age, appearance, and ideas. The main idea surrounding Stokely Carmichael’s Black Power Speech was Carmichael’s desire for a revolution. Carmichael no longer strode towards racial integration, but rather focused his desires on separation.
The impact from the war influenced public opinion on racism, however they couldn’t make de facto changes regarding segregation and so wasn’t the main reason for the improvement in effecting the position of African-Americans. President Truman aimed to tackle the issues of racism and segregation in the South, this is evident in the report ‘To Secure These Rights’ in which Truman established a committee to look into the experience of racial minorities in America. The report highlighted lynching, police brutality, voting rights, discrimination in various public sectors. Truman signed the Executive
In order to be a hero one must show great courage and have noble qualities. Many people have their own idea of a hero; however, most people would agree that Martin Luther King, Jr. is the ideal hero. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for the rights of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement during the period of 1955-1968. King was known for his nonviolent methods and his belief that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (par 11, pg 197). King stated in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” that “One day the South will recognize its real heroes” (par 53, pg 211).
Martin Luther King Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and became a pastor as well. This helped to influence the way he protested. He was a nonviolent speaker and wanted blacks and whites to be equal in society together not separated. He was a very good public speaker and many blacks along with whites supported his belief of being equal. Malcom X did not have the same lifestyle that Martin had the ability to grow up with.
After the court case when Atticus was leaving, the community of black people rose in respect of his heroic actions in which he presented in defending Tom. As the crowd rose Reverend Sykes said to scout “Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin,” (pg 211). Many people would argue, saying that he is not a hero and he was just doing his job, but I would disagree. Atticus was not only doing his job, he was trying to prove a very important point.
As “elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), he was often seen as a rival to the NAACP. (Royson)” Martin Luther later became part of the NAACP. It was an organization that would help colored people earn their civil rights. His protests were anti-violent, because he believed there was no win through a physical war. The only way to win was with the help of God, because he created man as equal.