Born in 1929 in Atlanta, USA, Martin Luther King arrived in an America that was full of racism. AIthough the slave trade was abolished in 1807, the black man was still an inferior citizen in America. Racial segregation was very much legal and there were several designated places where blacks were not allowed. The black man was still not freee and there were laws to legitimise this.
It was this kind of setup that Martin Luther sought to fight against. Well we say fight but Martin Luther King was a man of unique standing because he did not stand for violence. Having been influenced by Mahatima Gandhi’s successful peaceful protests against British rule in India, Martin sought to apply the same approach in America. He did not condone violence, a stance that won him criticism from his fellow black men who believed that Martin’s approach was rather soft.
Despite the serious risks to his life, King chose to stand for his people. At the tender age of 26 in 1955 he became the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, a movement against racial segregation. He became the voice of the people and during his life he organised and led several peaceful protests. Through his protests and his resolve, King pushed forward significant changes towards racial equality. A lof of what the black American enjoys today is credit to Mr King’s efforts. He put his life on the line to fight for what is right. In fact, it was whilst waiting to lead another peaceful protest that Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4 1968.
Although he is no longer with us, Martin Luther King’s inspiration lives on. He left a legacy that will continue to be told for generations. Not only do I admire the changes he pushed forward through the Civil Rights Movement, King was also a very educated man. He sailed through high school and was awarded his PhD at the tender age of 25.
This is an outstanding achievement even by today’s standards. Given the conditions he grew up in, for Martin to excel so well must be surely applauded.
Not only that but Martin Luther King also won a Nobel Peace Price in 1964 and as a truly committed activist, Martin directed the winnings towards financing the Civil Rights Movement.
It gives me great honor to have him on this website and i hope you too can find inspiration from his story. Here are some words from the man himself:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
The time is always right to do what is right.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
