Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and The Civil Rights Movement

2117 Words5 Pages

Martin Luther King jr. was one of the most influential persons of the 20th Century. He is the father of the modern civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom as well as peace. King practiced everything that he preached, he did not preach or speak values that he himself did not follow. He established himself as a pastor that was not afraid of hard work, guiding the middle-class congregation to public service. For example, Peake, Thomas R. author of "Martin Luther King, Jr.” states, “He encouraged his parishioners to help the needy and to be active in organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)”. I think that kings motivation for wanting to help people, originated with his fathers guidance as a child. King was devoted to the nonviolent method, which was encouraged by both of his parents during his upbringing. Kings influence was so vast, america as a whole recognizes his birthday as a national holiday, in the celebration of his influences in addition to a national monument made in his honor. According to the "Martin Luther King Jr. Timeline.”, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15,1929 the second and eldest child of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr., a Baptist minister, and Alberta Williams King. His birth name was Michael Luther King, Jr., but Kings father changed both his and his sons first names (Martin) to honor the death of King, Jr., grandfather in 1933. King was a very bright student who progressed rapidly skipping two grades (9th and 11th) at Booker T. Washington High School and attended Morehouse College at the age of fifteen in 1944. Furthermore, many people are un... ... middle of paper ... ... African American Literature, Revised Edition (2008): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. Peake, Thomas R. "The Speeches Of Martin Luther King, Jr." Masterplots II: African American Literature, Revised Edition (2008): 1-4. Literary Reference Center. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. Rafalowski, Tony. "Hellhound On His Trail." Magill’S Literary Annual 2011 (2011): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. Roth, John K. "Strength To Love." Masterplots II: Christian Literature (2007): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

Open Document