Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King, Jr was born on fifteenth January 1929. Michael was renamed Martin when he was six years of age. He was the son of Martin Luther King Sr., who was a pastor. King attended public schools that were segregated and later joined Morehouse College in Atlanta. He graduated from college, often viewed as a Negro institution in 1948. Martin Luther King had no plan of entering the ministry, but after meeting Dr. Benjamin Mays, was convinced that religious career was also satisfying. He, therefore, enrolled in Crozer Theological Seminary for religious studies.

King became the most outstanding student both of the graduating class and Seminary Fellowship, which made him win the Plafker Award. He joined Boston University to pursue graduate studies. He was accorded the degree in 1955 though he completed the studies in 1953. Before leaving Boston, King married Coretta Scott and was blessed with four children. King later became a minister in the Baptist church and an influential social activist (Carson, pg. 448-454). He fearlessly organized and led movements that advocated for Negroes’ rights. His leadership qualities led to the success of the campaigns through the elimination of the legal segregation of black Americans in the United States (Huggins, pg. 477-481). King’s commitment and determination made him rise to national prominence since he was recognized as the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

After completing his studies, King returned to Montgomery, Alabama, and became Dexter Avenue Baptist Church pastor. His position in the church secured him an opportunity as an executive committee member of a leading organization in the nation. King was well prepared to take up the leadership responsibilities of the Negro demonstrations. He, therefore, mobilized the black community to participate in the 382-day boycott regarding bus lines in the city. Having involved in the nonviolent protests actively, the Supreme Court declared the segregation laws as unconstitutional (Colaiaco, pg. 16-28.). The court ruled that both the Whites and the Negroes had equal bus rights in the United States. The government did not spare King either. His home got bombed, was arrested, and subjected to personal abuse. However, he overcame the harsh environment and became the most influential Negro leader.

King’s spirit of leadership continued and of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SLCC) president. In the new role, he helped various communities organize and stage their protests in the war against discrimination (Garrow, pg. 438-447). He emerged as a great hero in the nation who became a figure in fighting for civil rights. King applied Christianity ideas in his SLCC operational techniques (Huggins, pg. 477-481). He traveled for over a million miles in a period of eleven years to preach peace to the areas faced with injustices and protects. King also wrote books and articles expressing his mission to the Negroes and airing their challenges in the United States. He produced a manifesto pushing for the Negro revolution, which was inspired by his personal experience.

Martin Luther King tirelessly articulated for nonviolent tactics through his leadership to achieve the desired civil rights. His efforts never went unnoticed since, in 1964, he received a Nobel Peace Prize award. However, his plans to strengthen civil rights movements were shuttered by his untimely death. King was assassinated to avoid a protest about sympathy for workers he intended to lead. Martin Luther King remained the youngest man with the age of thirty-five to be recognized as a world figure and also a Negroes’ symbolic leader. His legacy of inspiration and hope continues up to today.

Work cited

Carson, Clayborne. “Martin Luther King, Jr.: Charismatic leadership in a mass struggle.” The Journal of American History 74.2 (1987): 448-454.

Colaiaco, James A. “Martin Luther King, Jr. and the paradox of nonviolent direct action.” Phylon (1960-) 47.1 (1986): 16-28.

Garrow, David J. “Martin Luther King, Jr., and the spirit of leadership.” The Journal of American History 74.2 (1987): 438-447.

Huggins, Nathan Irvin. “Martin Luther King, Jr.: Charisma and Leadership.” The Journal of American History 74.2 (1987): 477-481.