He believed that racial integration should begins with each individual, as a prophet he travelled across the country in conflict with itself, and spoke to all that listened, he spoke to the country about its most dangerous disease-racism. In 1963 Martin Luther King led a march to Washington on the eve of the vote by the National Congress on the new legislation. The march attracted thousands of people who went with him to Washington. On the steps at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28th he outlined his dream of his nation and brought to the world’s attention of how unfairly blacks were treated. His most famous speech known as ‘I have a Dream’, is accepted as one of the most effective speech ever
With charismatic and intelligent spokesmen such as Martin Luther King, the Civil Rights campaigners had brought the plight of black Americans to the attention of the whole world. The federal government had been forced to respond and the legislation of the nation had been changed to address the inequality and oppression experienced by millions of black citizens. For many black Americans, and also many sympathetic white Americans, the hope was that the USA was entering a new age of equality and meaningful civil rights for all citizens. By the mid 1960s, however, many black Americans were becoming disillusioned. Many Southern states continued to harass and persecute blacks regardless of the new legislation.
In prison when Malcolm begins to study the nation of Islam he says, “I have to admit a sad, shameful fact. I had so loved being around white man that in prison I really disliked how Negro convicts stuck together so much. But when Mr. Muhammad’s teachings reversed my attitude toward my black brothers, in my guilt and shame I began to catch every chance I could to recruit for Mr. Muhammad”(Malcolm X, 185). Malcolm is describing how his views about assimilation changed when he became a member of the nation of Islam. Before Malcolm believed that assimilation was the easiest way for black men to become free because he believed if he assimilated with white men he would be accepted into their society and as a result become free from racial prejudice.
Segregated from the rest of society and suffering emotionally, physically and economically the black community was looking for a leader and found one in Martin Luther King. A minister from Atlanta, King believed in the power peaceful protest, and began to lead public protests and boycotts. As the movement gained momentum King was able to raise public consciousness of the inequalities being suffered. Martin Luther King famously led the March on Washington, campaigning for equal rights and employment; here he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Eventually securing equal rights for all Americans Martin Luther King became and still represents the greatest human rights icon in
Martin Luther King Martin Luther King Introduction Martin Luther King, Jr., was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, as Michael Luther King, Jr., but later had his name changed to Martin. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights and racial equality in the United States and around the world through nonviolent methods. Playing a great role in the history of modern American liberalism, King had a very interesting young life being a constant worker for civil rights for members of his race while being in the ministry. His approach though, brought him afflictions which also paved the way to his untimely assassination. This paper describes the short lived life of Martin Luther King and his impact to American history.
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA during a period when racism was extremely prominent. One can only imagine the experiences Black Americans endured during those times unless one lived through them personally. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used his strength and knowledge to help society overcome these tumultuous times. Dr. King fought for equal justice for all races and gender to love one another and eliminate violence. He served the community as a clergyman, activist, and leader of the Civil Rights Movement [ (Biography, 2012) ].
Martin Luther King’s dream was to have equality. Martin wanted to allow African Americans to get a job so they can see and realize equality. The “I Have A Dream” speech was basically a plea for society based on racial harmony. This speech was held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C on August 28th, 1963. Martin Luther King Gave this speech to so many people because, He wanted to motivate people so they could see how wrong it is to treat people wrong just because they are different.
He chose to be vocal about his dissatisfaction with his people’s racial predicament. King spoke as though he was speaking on behalf of his entire race. He was a man of his people and represented their needs and desire to gain equality. King spoke directly against authority, not in a malicious way, but more in a way where he offered criticism and ways in which society needed to reform itself. During the 1963 March on Washington, King delivered perhaps his most famous speech called “I Have a Dream.” This speech called for an end to racism and desegregation in America that was still very prevalent at the time.
12/17/12 Civil Rights of the 1960’s Attacked by dogs, sprayed with fire hoses, beaten by the police; the very people who are employed to keep you safe. That was what African Americans faced if they spoke out against inequality. In the time of the 1950 and 60’s emerged two men that would soon be legends in history years after their deaths, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. where the rock that helped African Americans push segregation and racism to a minimal. The two of them were a huge moral support in the fifties and sixties. He believed that if blacks were seen fighting back against white forces they would be painted as low lives and scum, the exact image that they were trying to abolish.
Feeling defeated, and probably angry Malcolm’s intentions to further his education were tarnished. He morphed into a new identity known as “Detroit Red” and committed numerous small crimes and this same recklessness eventually had him convicted and sentenced for eight to ten years in jail around 1946. His siblings sent him letters while Malcolm was in Charleston State Prison and became interested in the Nation of Islam. Malcolm then contacted Elijah Mohammed who was known, as the leader of the group and while The Nation of Islam wasn’t mainstream Islam, but a spin-off version where other African Americans wanted to follow some of the Muslim’s ideals or practices. For the first time Malcolm felt like he belonged somewhere with a new identity and purpose in life.