The Risk Analysis Of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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INTRODUCTION

1. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the prominent black leader of the civil rights movement of the fifties and sixties. No other black leader in modern history has been accorded the incredible respect and admiration bestowed upon Dr. King. In 1963 he became the first black person to be named Time Magazine's "Man of the Year”. In 1964 he received the Nobel Peace Prize making him the youngest person and only third black person to get this award. He was the first black in American history to have a national holiday. Born and raised in the middle of Southern racism, Martin Luther King Jr. gathered unexpected national and international fame as a leader. He grew up to articulate many of the controversial and contradictory tendencies in the …show more content…

Anticipating Opposition. Martin Luther King anticipated the opposition moves well in advance. He had realized that his people had limited education and economic means and the only mean to exercise power was to have the right to vote. Like a professional chess master, he planned several moves at a time like forming local alliances, organizing voter registration and encouraging people to vote in large numbers. Above all it was achieved remaining within the laws of the land.
9. Risk Assessment. Dr. King weighed all his options with a seasoned eye for risk assessment and consequences. He gave special importance to the symbolic values. He had the courage to make tough decisions. He decided to move forward with the agitation campaign even when he was facing life threatening consequences such as bombing of his home and later an assassination attempt.
10. Learn and Adapt. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his associates faced several setbacks as they launched their famous movement. King was jailed 29 times in Birmingham campaign. He learned that no single plan actually works as envisaged and that many modifications to the plan are required. He experimented with a wide arrange of tactics in the marches and protests to generate political pressure. He was an avid learner who adjusted to changes …show more content…

Undoubtedly, Martin Luther King Jr. was an outstanding individual for his time and location in society. As an individual, Martin Luther King, Jr. possessed many of the extraordinary qualities of the charismatic leader. No other black person has ever risen to such heights in American society. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life had a lasting impact on the events in the United States. Years after his death, he is the most acknowledged African-American leader of his times. His life and work have been honoured with a national holiday. Many public buildings as well as schools are named after him. King's strategic decision making skills of the above disciplines led to historic political success. These decisions hold great lessons for all leaders, and highlight the courage and resolution needed to change the world. Martin Luther King exhibited these illustrious traits to alter the course of history by overcoming deeply deep-rooted prejudices, biases, and unfair values

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