Martin Luther King Jrs Life - Essay Example

Sir, Following your directive to be creative, I have located and arranged the following websites in sequence relevant to different aspects of King’slife and achievements. 1) King’s biography Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Biographical Sketch http://www.lib.lsu.edu/hum/mlk/srs218.html 2) Time 100: Leaders & Revolutionaries-Martin Luther King http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/king.html 3) Robert F. Kennedy: Remarks on the assassination of MLK http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertkennedyonmartinlutherking.html 4) Gandhi, King and Jesus http://www.cliftonunitarian.com/toddstalks/gandhiking&jesus.htm 5) Celebrate Holidays in the U.S.A: Dr. Martin Luther King Day http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/mlk.html 6) Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/A21850.html 7) White River State Park announces plans to celebrate Martin Luther King Day http://www2.ncaa.org/portal/media_and_events/press_room/2006/january/ 20060111_mlk_rls.html 8) Canonizing Martin Luther King http://www.lsinstitute.org/King.html 1) Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Biographical Sketch http://www.lib.lsu.edu/hum/mlk/srs218.html Martin Luther King, Jr. ranks as arguably the most charismatic black American leader. Born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, he was a top scholar, finishing his studies at Harvard and Boston Universities, getting a Ph.D in Systematic Theology from the latter. King also entered the Christian Ministry and was ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta where, until his death, he was co-pastor with his father. The Civil Rights Movement served to thrust King into national prominence. He was undoubtedly the nucleus figure of the Movement during which he was arrested no less than 30 times. King introduced and popularized the unique concept of “somebodiness” which gave the poor black people a re-birth, awakening in them a satisfying feeling of self respect, thus making their lives attractive and worth living. It was said that “his philosophy of nonviolent direct action and his strategies for rational and non-destructive social change, galvanized the conscience of a nation and reordered its priorities” (www.lib.lsu.edu/hum/mlk/srs218.html). King was gifted with a silver tongue. Among his most famous speeches were the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and “I have a Dream”. The latter speech is undoubtedly the single most famous act associated with King, for which he will always be remembered. That speech, given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C on August 28, 1963, “stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation.” (www.lib.lsu.edu/hum/mlk/srs218.html). It prompted the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and earned King a Nobel Prize in 1965. King met a premature death on April 4, 1968 when he was fatally shot by James Earl Ray while standing on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His murderer was eventually sentenced to 99 years in prison. King was accorded a great honor when the President of the United States declared his funeral day (April 9, 1968) a day of national mourning. 2) Time 100: Leaders and Revolutionaries – Martin Luther King http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/king.html The Civil Rights Movement solved the long-standing problem of black Americans: that of segregation and denial of basic, fundamental rights such as the right to vote, buy or rent a house, go the same school or eat in the same restaurants as whites. The Movement was held together, orchestrated and led admirably to its crowning success by Martin Luther King Jr. He was, simply, “the right man at the right time.” (www.time.com/time/ time100/leaders/profile/king.html). King was a staunch believer in the pacifist principle of nonviolence. He made this principle the basis of the Civil Rights Movement, and never deviated from it despite the continuous harassment by the FBI, and several death threats, including the bombing of his home in Montgomery. Being a preacher, King drew inner strength from prayer; once, faced with a particularly deadly death threat, King prayed fervently to the Almighty and claims to have heard an inner voice encouraging him: “Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you, even until the end of the world.” (www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/king.html). In retrospect, we have learnt that King’s successful Civil Rights Movement did succeed in its main objective which was desegregation of whites and blacks, and the granting of equal civil rights to all irrespective of color. However, it also made glaringly obvious to white Americans that they were also liberated, freed from their long standing hypocrisy about race. As a result, the U.S started proclaiming itself as the leader of the “free world” without fear of contradiction or ridicule. The year 1998 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the fatal shooting of King on April 4, 1968. This year is mute testimony to the fact that King is still looked upon as the key figure of the Civil Rights Movement, as “the black leader of a movement for black equality; a man demanding justice not just in the hereafter but in the here and now.” (www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/king.html). 3) Robert F. Kennedy: Remarks on the assassination of Martin Luther King http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertkennedyonmartinlutherking.html “Ladies and Gentlemen…Martin Luther King was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee.” (www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertkennedyonmartinluther king.html). These words, spoken by Robert F. Kennedy on April 4, 1968 at the start of his public eulogy to King, may not be as dramatically newsworthy as Paul Bremner’s infamous words: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve got him,” referring to the capture of Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003, but it was a somber tribute to a great black American leader. Robert F. Kennedy’s speech on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. is a well worded dedication to a great man, the words steeped in poignant respect for a respected leader who created an indelible mark in U.S history. Kennedy calls King’s death “sad news for all our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world.” (www. americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertkennedyonmartinlutherking.html). Praising King’s staunch belief in extending love and justice to all his fellowmen, a belief which ultimately tasted sweet success with the astounding success of the Civil Rights Movement, Kennedy pleads with black Americans to honor their slain leader by adhering to his principles, particularly nonviolence. Kennedy acknowledge that a white man (James Earl Ray) killed King, but the act of one man should not be construed as being representative all white Americans, and should not lead blacks to feel hatred and plot revenge against whites just because one rogue person committed the horrific murder based on his misguided and warped beliefs. Referring to the death of his own brother (U.S. President John F. Kennedy), Robert Kennedy says he understands the feeling of great loss because he himself underwent similar shock and pain (“I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man”. (www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertkennedyonmartinluther king.html). Kennedy concludes his speech by requesting his audience to follow the Greek adage: “tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.” (www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/robertkennedyonmartinlutherking.html), which is another definition of the principle that was the bastion of King during his life – nonviolence. 4) Gandhi, King and Jesus http://www.cliftonunitarian.com/toddstalks/gandhiking&jesus.htm Jesus, Gandhi and Martin Luther King rank as three of the greatest reformers the world has ever seen. The common thread that link them all is the philosophy of nonviolence that each used in their endeavor to reform their unjust societies. Nonviolence was defined by these great men as: “For all who take the sword will perish by the sword,” (Jesus); “Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of humanity,”(Gandhi); and, “Nonviolence is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom and human dignity,” (King). (www.cliftonunitarian.com/toddstalks/gandhi king&jesus.htm). While Jesus used nonviolence as a means to bring about political and social change in the struggle against the Romans, Gandhi used it to end the century-long British rule over India and King used it to root out segregation and gain equal civil rights for blacks in the U.S. All the three men experienced racist discrimination, growing up in societies and cultures that unjustly favored some over others – Jesus for being Jewish (non-Roman), Gandhi for being Indian (non-British) and King for being black (non-white). In his writings, King narrates harrowing instances of segregated injustice imparted to blacks such as bombings of their homes and churches, terror threats, being shot at indiscriminately, being barred from restaurants frequented by whites, and being refused rides on buses. While in jail in Birmingham City, he wrote in his letter, “Birmingham is probably the most segregated city in the United States.” (www.cliftonunitarian.com/toddstalks/gandhiking&jesus.htm). King was a great admirer of Gandhi, who, in addition to fighting a nonviolent battle against British rule, also campaigned to get equal rights for some of his more unfortunate countrymen (called “untouchables”) who were shunned by persons of supposedly higher society. (“Gandhi not only spoke against the caste system [in India] but he acted against it”. {www.cliftonunitarian.com/toddstalks/gandhiking&jesus.htm}). King was so taken up with Gandhi and his struggle in India that kept a portrait of Gandhi in his home and even visited India after Gandhi’s death. Like Gandhi, King tasted success as his Civil Rights Movement ended segregation and brought about great improvement in the lives of black Americans. Also like Gandhi, King was shot and killed shortly after achieving this success. 5) Celebrate Holidays in the U.S.A: Dr. Martin Luther King Day http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/mlk.html Martin Luther King was the main person responsible for the success of the Civil Rights Movement. King was a staunch believer in the philosophy of nonviolence and never deviated from it despite great difficulties and threats. (“His philosophy remained peaceful, and he constantly reminded his followers that their fight would be victorious if they did not resort to bloodshed.” {http://Stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/ mlk.html}). King led increasing an number of his followers in peaceful demonstrations which culminated in his infamous August 28, 1963 speech, “I have a Dream” to a gathering of more than 250,000 people in Washington, D.C. This event, known as the “March on Washington”, marked the victorious end of the Civil Rights Movement to guarantee every American, whether white or black, equal civil rights as it caused the Civil Rights Act to be passed the next year (1964). King’s assassination in 1968 shocked and saddened both white and black people who had worked so hard following King as he fought for peace and civil rights. King’s great efforts and achievements were suitably rewarded by the U.S government when it proclaimed January 20 as a government holiday. It is “the only federal holiday commemorating an African-American” (http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/ celebrate/mlk.html). The first official Martin Luther King Day was celebrated all over the U.S on Monday, January 20, 1986, and it became a solemn celebration in the years that followed. On this day each year schools, offices and federal agencies are closed. All across the country, people hold memorial services in which ministers give sermons about King’s life and achievements. Throughout the weekend, radio stations air songs and speeches about the Civil Rights Movement, while television channels broadcast programs highlighting King’s life and his quest for peace and justice for all. By celebrating Martin Luther King Day each year, the people of the U.S proudly remember that they are, in the words of King in his “I have a Dream” speech: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we are free at last!” (http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/mlk.html). Not only are black Americans free (having being granted equal civil rights as whites) but white Americans too are free from their long-standing injustice of not giving equal rights to their black fellow Americans. 6) Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/A21850.html “My brother was no saint ordained at birth, instead he was an average and ordinary man called by…..God….to perform extraordinary deeds.” This testimony of Christine King Farris, sister of Martin Luther King Jr. (www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/ A21850.html) summarizes like no other, the humility and down-to-earth attitude that characterized the King family, which in turn reflected on King’s family house where he spent most of his boyhood. This house is located at 501 Auburn in Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S. King was born on January 15, 1929 in a two-storey Queen Anne-style house in Atlanta, Georgia to Baptist minister Martin Luther King Sr. and elementary school music teacher Alberta Williams King. King had a brother (Alfred) and sister (Christine). When Martin Luther Jr. was 12, the family moved to another house near by at 501 Auburn. This house, their family house, was purchased by King’s maternal grandfather in 1909. After King’s assassination in 1968, the house was deeded to The King Center by his mother Alberta in 1971. The King Center has been credited with restoring King’s family house to its appearance during the days of King’s childhood. King’s sister Christine was heavily involved in the restoration; given her knowledge of the house as well as the family during those days, her contribution was invaluable. The restoration, when completed, created a monument for King’s admirers that “provided many insights into the formative influences of one of the greatest leaders of our time.” (www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/A21850.html). Tours of the house are conducted by National Park rangers. Visitors re-live the childhood days of King, seeing the many family photographs showing King as a child, the parlor that was used for choir lessons and family radio music listening, the dining room where King took meals with the family, the play area where King played with his brother and sister, and the bedrooms of the family members. King shared his bedroom with his brother Alfred, and Christine fondly remembered that it was “always in disarray.” (www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/A218150.html). The tour of King’s house demonstrates to visitors that King was an ordinary man like any other, but he rose to prominence due to his inner goodness, staunch belief in nonviolence and steadfast commitment to spread love and justice among all his fellowmen. 7) White River State Park announces plans to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day http://www2.ncaa.org/portal/media_and_events/press_room/2006/january/ 20060111_mlk_rls.html “Dr. King believed in the power and strength of community. Serving others is a fitting way to honor his legacy.” This glowing tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. was paid by Pam Altmeyer, president and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank. (http://ww2.ncaa.org/portal/ media_and_events/press_room/2006/January/20060111_mlk/rls.html). Gleaners Food Bank, boasting of having distributed 186 million pounds of food among people who were struggling to overcome hunger, joined hands with White River State Park (located in the southwest quadrant of downtown Indianapolis) in devising a unique way to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. day. On January 12, 2006, Park officials announced free admission to those visitors on Monday, January 16, 2006 who bring canned or non-perishable food as a donation to Gleaners Food Bank. The quantity was left entirely to donors with just one can being the minimum needed. The choice of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for this donation was ingenious as it was bound to generate an encouraging response from the public that would replenish Gleaners’ shelves with much needed food donations. The Park planned further attractions to entice visitors with programs such as ‘Basketball Dreams Day’ by the NCAA Hall of Champions, ‘Indoor Baseball Fest’ by the Indianapolis Indians, screening of the Tom Hanks’ narrated film ‘Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon’ by the IMAX Theater and featuring several live dance, music, poetry and drama performances by the Holly Frierson Group and the Legacy Theater Troupe. The feeling of generous contribution to a good cause, common among all the participants, was best vocalized by George Smith, managing director of the NCAA Hall of Champions when he announced that the NCAA is “pleased to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day festivities at the Park. We look forward to this celebration every year.” (http://ww2.ncaa.org/portal/media_and_events/press_room/2006/January/ 20060111_mlk/rls.html). The aura of Martin Luther King Jr. was clearly apparent over all the participants and visitors in that they shared King’s gift of improving the lives of those unfortunate people who lack the basic necessities of life. 8) Canonizing Martin Luther King http://www.lsinstitute.org/King.html There are many holidays in the U.S remembering famous leaders like Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, religious occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and national holidays like Independence Day which is on the Fourth of July. But these holidays pale in comparison to what is known as “the one sacred holiday left on the American Calendar – on the third Monday of January, the nation comes to a halt”, (www.lsinstitute.org/King.html) and politicians and pastors across the country sing ‘We Shall Overcome’ as everyone honors the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. King possessed the unique gift of dramatically highlighting the plight of black Americans and for dreaming a utopian vision of racial reconciliation. No single person deserves more credit than him for orchestrating the Civil Rights Movement to its ultimate success. King’s message of love and justice to all was based almost entirely on an appeal to Christian morality. This, plus the fact that he was a clergyman, and most of all the unquestioned display of his innate goodness and unselfish desire to spread love and fair justice among all his fellow beings, made his appeal particularly unique. There have been numerous allegations of wrong doing against King such as having Communist leanings, plagiarism and sexual indiscretion, but these accusations should not detract from King’s social and political accomplishments. To quote black educator Charles Willie: “By exalting the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. into a legendary tale that is annually told, we fail to recognize his humanity – his personal and public struggles – that are similar to yours or mine.” (www.lsinstitute.org/King.html). It can therefore be rightly concluded that King may have some personal drawbacks and that some of his views may appear extreme, but “the man who urged us all to sit down at the table of brotherhood was, at least for that brief, shining moment, a saint. A controversial figure in his own time, King has been quickly transformed into America’s only remaining secular saint.” (www.lsiinstitute.org/King.html). Read More