How Did Martin Luther King Jr Impact Society

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The Dream “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,” - Martin Luther King Jr’s words that shook the principles of America of his time. King Jr. was born January 15, 1928 when Jim Crow laws reigned supreme and equality was merely a white man’s word. As an ordinary citizen, Martin worked as a minister at the Ebenezer Church following in the steps of his father for over 13 years (Davis). Martin Luther King Jr. rose to prominence as a civil rights movement leader to ensure not only justice in America, but justice to all world-wide. King’s impact shaped society and visualized a society free from the restraints of discrimination. Martin Luther King Jr. was the founder and leader of the SCLC and used…show more content…
was the founder and leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). As a young minister at the Ebenezer Church, King had ambitions to pursue civil rights. Due to these ambitions, King organized and created the SCLC - which gave him a base to pursue civil rights in not only the south, but nation-wide (“Martin Luther King, Jr”). This organization helped give Martin Luther King Jr. support and a reason to fight against the racism presented in America. After the renowned Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat to a white man, the black community began unification to get rid of racism once and for all. Of these people, Martin Luther King Jr. was one of many people inspired in the Civil Rights Movement. The SCLC was an active organization created with hope and a beacon of light to guide people out of discrimination in the South. The SCLC was commonly looked down upon by Southern leaders who strongly believed in white supremacy compared to other races. Due to this belief by Southern leaders, SCLC members were arrested, discrimination, and abused for using non-violent protesting. “[Martin’s] philosophy of nonviolent resistance led to his arrest on numerous occasions in the 1950s and 60s” (“Martin Luther King, Jr”). King was willing to sacrifice himself in order to free racism from this country. Inspired by Gandhi, Martin used non-violence protesting and inspired many people (blacks and whites) to fight against racism and…show more content…
As a young minister at the Ebenezer Church, King was recognized as a leader and a guide to the people. His love, affectionate, and charismatic personality brought together many people who looked upon at King as their shepherd. Columbia University states, “He spearheaded the Aug., 1963, March on Washington, which brought together more than 200,000 people. The protests he led helped to assure the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964” (“Martin Luther King, Jr”). Martin served 200,000 people as they marched to Washington in efforts to give everyone in America all equal opportunities. King brought together 200,000 individuals from America to a nonviolent protest to Washington - simply by speaking and marching down to the capital, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. This civil rights legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, religion, sex, color, or natural origin. It ended racial segregation at schools, public accommodations, voting facilities, and the workplace. It began the path to end racism and discrimination in America - with Martin Luther King Jr. In his time of protesting, Martin Luther King Jr. was notorious for getting on the wrong side of the Southern leaders. Due to this, one time at protesting in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. and his protesters of men, women, and children were attacked and beaten by the cops and their dogs for protesting (Jakoubek).
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