This week we'll take an opportunity to look into the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since Monday is a day off in Dr. King's honor, we should consider why he is the only American recognized by name with a National Holiday, and what his life's work means to our country. Dr. King was once hated by many Americans, and was a symbol of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Now,in addition to the national holiday, there is a statue on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in recognition of his contribution to American society. Ask someone who was around in the late 1960s if they could have imagined that American would be as integrated as it is now (an African-American president, an African-American UK football coach at a school that once refused to recruit black athletes). How did this change occur? Perhaps no one is more responsible for breaking the walls of injustice than a young pastor from Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. King was in his twenties when Mrs. Rosa Parks was jailed for refusing to move on a city bus. (It is often misunderstood that Mrs. Parks was asked to give up her seat for a white man, which is untrue. There were plenty of seats available, but the law said that if a white passenger got on the bus all African-American passengers had to move to the rear of the bus into a section labelled "colored". Mrs. Parks, inspired, perhaps, by the recent atrocity of the murder of a black teenager, refused to move and was arrested). Beginning with a boycott of the Birmingham bus lines, Dr. King drew national attention to the injustice of segregation and the violence with which it was often enforced. Until the day he was assassinated in 1968 Dr. King continued to lead a peaceful movement for justice.
This week's assignment is to research the life and legacy of Dr. King and report your findings. Keep your focus on Dr. King, for we will do two homework lessons on the larger Civil Rights movement during the month of February in honor of Black History Month. Here are some suggested sites you may research:
For a list of Dr. King's quotations, see http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth297519.html
For a biographical introduction and timeline of Dr. King's life, see http://www.mlkonline.net/bio.html
To hear some of Dr. King's speeches you may visit http://www.mlkonline.net/sounds.html
Answer one or more of the following questions: Had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today? Has Dr. King's dream been fulfilled (referring to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech)? What principles led Dr. King to lead the Civil Rights movement as he did?
The assignment caries the same requirements as all those that have preceded it. A reminder: cite your sources if you use a reference other than those given above.
Perhaps the best way to remember Dr. King is to follow his example of social involvement. Too many Americans are quick to speak volumes of criticism but slow to get involved and make a difference. As Christians we are instructed to ease the suffering of those who are miserable, and the Bible calls on us to "love justice". Our missions theme this year will come from Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up!" I challenge you to make a positive difference in your community this week.
Martin Luther King Jr.
ReplyDelete1) Had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today?
Well, as we know, Martin Luther King Jr. was an extremely important figure of the civil rights movement in the '60's. I mean, he really helped lead the entire movement and was one of the greatest speakers that have ever lived. I think that if there had been no Dr. King, then the civil rights movement would have been delayed and prolonged significantly. I do not think that we would have an African American President today without Dr. King. I think that by 2010 there still would have been major steps made in racial equality, but we still wouldn't be like we are today. I think that without him, the movement of racial equality would have taken place over a longer span of years, and that we might have accomplished in maybe the 80's or 90's what we accomplished in the 60's.
2) Has Dr. King's dream been fulfilled?
I think that it has been fulfilled. Today, in our country, among the general public, there exists almost no racism or discrimination on basis of ethnicity or skin color. There are still racist people in our country, and a few fanatics out there, but on a large scale basis, I believe that his dream has been fulfilled.
His life:
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. His parents were Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Both he and his father's names were originally Michael King. After the family traveled to Germany in 1934, His father changed their names to Martin Luther to honor the great Protestant leader, Martin Luther. In 1953, Martin Luther King, Jr. married Correta Scott on the eighteenth of June. They had a total of four children and one of which he passed his name to. A year later Martin became the pastor of a church in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1955, he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott that finally put an end to racial segregation on all Montgomery public buses. It was his first of many battles to which he tried to end racial segregation. In 1963, he delivered his most famous speech "I Have a Dream" in Washington D.C. There he brought to many people's attention the civil rights movement. On the devastating day of April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. That day was devastating to many African-American's hopes of putting an end to segregation, but because of his efforts many people kept on fighting in order that one day they would achieve Martin's "dream."
Questions:
Now to answer the question "Had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today?" I personally think that if there hadn't been a Dr.King then there would still be a great deal of racial segregation in society, but it would not be as strongly supported today as it was back then.
Sources:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He was an individual that none of us will ever forget. Coming from a family line of pastors, he became the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in 1954. He wanted his protests and presentations to be handled peaceably by the black people although the white police and/or citizens inflicted great violence upon the people. He was recognized publicly by Time magazine as Man of the Year by being the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He led marches and rallies to demonstrate their strong passion and belief in desegregation. In 1968, he was assassinated.
ReplyDeleteWhen we look at his life, we see all of the major things this man accomplished. We read books and see the TV shows, but we must see how it would be without Martin Luther King Jr. First of all, I do believe that if he had not been there, somebody would have taken some initiative, but not quite in the same manner as he did possibly. He had a great passion and as his speech says he “had a dream”. He really wanted this and sacrificed his life for the rights of his people. If he had not that kind of passion, America may not be where we are today. Another thing was the way he handled the situation. He did not protest with violence or cruelty, he promoted desegregation peacefully. But we all know that it was a very violent time. During these protests, they were brutally beaten and tortured by the law and other civilians. As for if his dream has been fulfilled, I believe we have come a long way.
Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life for a cause he truly believed in. This in itself shows us what a great figure he was. We see how lives like these change our whole future and society.
http://www.mlkonline.net/bio.html
Martin Luther King, Jr...a name that is familiar to us all. He was born January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. His father was was a pastor, and Martin decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a pastor himself. So in 1954, he became the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama when he was 25 years old. This is where Dr. King's career as a civil rights activist really takes off.
ReplyDeleteIn 1957, King and his fellow civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Their goal as a group was to use the power of the black churches to engage in peaceful protests for civil rights. The SCLC led marches for blacks' right to vote, desegregation, labor rights, and other basic civil rights.
Dr. King led campaigns for civil rights in Birmingham, Alabama; Albany, Georgia; Selma, Alabama; and St. Augustine, Florida. But perhaps his most famous march was the march on Washington, D.C., in August of 1963.
In Washington, D.C., Dr. King led a peaceful march to the Lincoln Memorial, and made his immensely succesful "I Have A Dream" speech. He spoke to over 250,000 people on the steps of the memorial, where he expressed his hopes and dreams for the future of social harmony for the United States. I have stood on the very spot where he made his speech, and I've looked out at the reflecting pool, and it was hard to imagine 250,000 people standing there. But gosh what a POWERFUL speech it was. Dr. King is truly an amazing man, a true patriot and statesman. And as good as an American as you will ever find.
And I will choose to respond to the question that asks if you think that Dr. Kings "I Have A Dream" has been successful. And my response is YES! Sure, racism still exists, but compared to back in the 60's, we have moved leaps and bounds away from that. We have really improved our morals as a country (though they are far from perfect). And I mean the biggest proof of all is that we have an African-American President. That's the biggest statement you can make about how America has improved in the area of racism.
wikipedia.com/martinlutherkingjr
Emily, I liked how you discussed the passion that Dr. King possessed. And I agree with your statement about how someone else would have taken the iniative to lead the civil rights. But yes he was such a passionate individual. I mean he devoted ALL of his time to civil rights, ALL of his time to helping his fellow African-American's achieve their full right's. And that's the kind of passion thats real, and you don't find that often.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job Emily.
J Byrd, I liked how you discussed the timing of how Dr. King came along. If he had not chosen to lead the civil rights movement and instead continue to pastor his church, we would have probably had to wait many more years for another outspoken passionate leader like Dr. King to come along, and we're not even sure that that would've happened! And again, who knows who we would have in the Oval Office today if Dr. King had not come along.
ReplyDeleteGreat Work J Byrd
Was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. simply a man with a dream? Or was he a man with much more than a dream? i believe Dr.King was a great man who had the ability to lead a revolution in American history, a man who possessed the power, knowledge,and wisdom to change the country. But Dr. King’s youth and raising was as much of a factor in his life as the part he took in the civil rights movement, so heres some background on the life of MLK jr.
ReplyDeleteI’ll start at the beginning(wow, that sounded very unintelligent when I reread it, but you should know what I mean) in the year 1929 Martin Luther King Jr. was born, in Atlanta, georgia, to Alberta King and Michael Luther King. His father was a preacher at abaptist church and his mother was a teacher. In ’44, at the age of fifteen, King graduated highschool and enrolled into Morehouse college, where in four years he got a bachelors (sp?) degree in sociology. He went on to marry Correta Scott. Between college and his marriage King attended Crozer Theological Seminary.
oh, i forgot my source.
ReplyDeletei used http://www.infoplease.com/spot/mlktime2.html just to get years of the events.
Let me start off by saying what many before me have;
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King Jr. was born on January 25th 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. Interestingly enough, he (and his father)were both named Michael King until the family visited Germany in 1934. Since he was a southern preacher, King Sr. was fascinated by the monk Martin Luther and his debates with the Roman Catholic church many years ago. Upon return to the United States, King remained so moved that he changed both he and his son's name to "Martin Luther".
Since King. Jr was born in a strong southern baptist home, it was no surprise when he chose to follow in his father's footsteps and become a preacher himself. He went on to get his Bachelor degree in sociology and then studied systematic theology. (There has been speculation that some of his work in theology wasn't honestly came by or original by any means. But this is a positive essay, so I'm going to skip over that.)
Because he grew up in the deep south were racism was deep rooted and showed its ugly head constantly in every day society, King felt it was his calling to help settle the disputes between races, peacefully. He encouraged sit-ins and other types of non-violent protesting. He made many speeches for fellow African Americans that basically said if they would approach the situation diplomatically and Christlike, after time it would improve; however, violence would only make the racial barriers worse for African Americans.
On March 29, 1968, while king was visiting Memphis Tennessee, he was shot on his hotel balcony. He collapsed, then looked to his musician Ben Branch and said, "Ben, make sure you play tonight (at the event King was scheduled to speak at)... Take my hand Precious Lord." and with those words he fell silent. He was pronounced dead 1 hour and 4 minutes later at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Martin Luther King without a doubt made leaps and bounds towards equality for all races, not only African Americans. Regardless, he was a great man who in his dying breath showed love for his country, even those who hated him and for his Lord and Savior. I think there is much to be learned from this man, and his memory will never be totally forgotten.
Did Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a Dream" ever come true?
- I think the answer is a definite 'Yes!' Many African Americans play professional sports, own businesses, and now are even president! The mindset of the people as a whole has totally changed. People are just people. And while racism may still exist in some areas, we have to remember that racism toward white people still exists. Racism may never be totally blotted out, but for the most part, it is but a terrible memory. King did not die in vain, his Dream is still alive today.
In 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. successfully led an effort to desegregate Montgomery, Alabama. This would only be the start of his legacy. In 1963, Mr. King delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech. This speech changed the world as they knew it.
ReplyDeleteIf Martin Luther king Jr. had not taken the actions that he did the world today would not be that different. All that the movement needed was someone to start it. If Mr. King had not done what he did someone else would have. It would have just been a matter of time.
Many things led Mr. King to lead the movement. One of the things is best explained in one of his quotes. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr. stood tall in times of great challenge and controversy. He saw something that was not right and he did something about it. People before him had tried but had not succeeded. The reason for his success was his unique prospective of how to solve problems. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” The only reason Mr. King succeeded the way he did was because he handled the situation in a way that caused no harm. If he had taken the way of fighting and causing trouble then the civil rights movement would have never been as successful as it was.
Martin Luther King Jr.Was born in atlanta gorgia on january 15th,1929.And like his father martin luther decided to be a paster.And at the age of 25 he started pastering a baptist church in montgomery alabama.This is also where all of his work in political activisim begins.
ReplyDeleteDR.King focused most of his political camaighning in souther states such as georgia and alabama(the places that were close to him)
but he would eventually make a march to washington dc.During the march through DC he gave a speech in front of the lincoln momorial in front of thousands of people which opend alot of eyes to what he was trying to accomplish.
And i think that for the most part Martin Luther King Jr was succsesfull,allthough there is stll discrimination and eacism in the world its just a hand-full of people.nothing compared to what it was in the 60's.witch makes what martin luther did nothin short of a mirical
Emily C.,you mentioned the statement that we all need to just sit back and realize what it would be like without Dr.King. I think that is an excellent statement because if you do really sit back and think about the world without Dr.King it is almost scary. For the reason that America most likely would still be in the so called dark ages of American history. So we really need to appreciate the work that Martin Luther King, Jr. did to stop segregation in the United States.
ReplyDeleteCamden, I totally agree with the statement you made in your essay. The only reason that Dr.King was successful was by the way he handled it which caused no harm. That statement is the true reason why he was successful with stopping segregation. If he had used violence then the outcome would have probably been different and people would have not respected him. So because of Dr.King's nonviolent ways of protesting segregation, his dream was fulfilled.
ReplyDelete“A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.”
ReplyDelete– Martin Luther King Jr.
some basic background of Mr. Luther, born in Atlanta Georgia on January 15, 1929. in 1954, Martin Luther was chosen to be the pastor of a church in Montgomery Alabama. the next yr, Dr. Luther received his Ph.D from Boston university. Martin Luther King Jr. was mainly known for his “I have a dream” speech. but what did that speech have to do with? segregation? racism? the fight for equal rights? if you said no to any of those u are stupid!! his speech and life was set on fighting for the right to be judged by his character vs. his skin color. today racism isn’t a major thing we deal with. blacks have the same rights as us and are now treated equally, or are they? it may not seem like it, but even today racism is a major thing that still goes on. I have really good friends that are blacks and when we go somewhere and they are discriminated against it really pushes my buttons. without Martin luther, would we still be in the same place as back then? I hope not. but Martin Luther had a huge huge huge role in it and for him I am thankful.
sam, i like how you mentioned that racism, although still here today is just tiny little things compared to the 60s. we dont think about it much but it really is a huge deal then and now. we dont put as much emphasis on it now because its not as "obvious" you could say as it was in the 60s. i also agree with u on the thing u said bout him being one of, if not the best american and patriot we have ever seen. way to go sam. perty good if ya ask me
ReplyDeleteemily. i also like how u addressed his passion with this subject. i dont think ive ever seen anyone as passionate about any subject. he did a great feat throughout his life. he may not have done away with the racism, but he opened a door for others. a very large door. good job em
ReplyDeleteDr. Martin Luther King was really born Michael Luther King, January 15th, 1929. He was born into a family of ministers. his grandfather and father both pastored, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia. Dr. King acted as co-pastor with his father until his death on April 4th, 1968.
ReplyDeleteDr. King attended a segregated public school in Georgia. at age fifteen he graduated from High School. He went to a recognized negro college, Morehouse College, an institution in Atlanta. he went on to receive his doctorate in 1953at Boston University. In Boston he met and married his wife, Coretta Scott, "a young woman of uncommon intellectual and artistic attainments." They had two boys and two girls.
Dr. King became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He immediately got involved in civil rights for members of his race.
In 1957, Dr. King was elected the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization that gave a platform for new leadership. Dr. King took ideas from Christianity and operational techniques from Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who was the preeminent political and spiritual leader during the Indian independent movement. He was the pioneer of resistance through mass civil disobedience, which was firmly founded on non violence.
On April 4th, 1968 while standing on the balcony of a motel room in Memphis, Tenn. he was assassinated.
sources: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi
Dang it! I forgot my sources:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mlkonline.net/bio.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.
Born Michael Luther King Jr. on January 15,1929, he latter changed his name to Marten. Like his father and grandfather before him, Marten was a pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta Alabama. He was also the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, in Montgomery Alabama. Being member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Marten Luther, an American clergyman, an activist, and many other things Marten Luther is best known for his “I have a Dream” speech and for leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott. I don’t know about you but I would have had a hard time doing all as the things that Marten Luther did. And trust me there are a lot more than you would think.
ReplyDeleteNo I don’t think that he was simply a man with a dream. I think that Marten Luther saw what would happen if the world didn’t get over the problems they had with the African-American race.
If there had been on Dr. King the world would have obviously been different, but how it would be is hard to tell. There could be a number of things that wouldn’t be the same. One thing that I know would be different is we wouldn’t have someone to write essays on to make us look smart. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html
The life of Martin Luther King Jr.
ReplyDeleteHe was born on january 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He had an older sister and a younger sister. He and his fathers names were originally Michael King, until in 1934, they visited Germany, and had their names changed to Martin Luther King, to honor the protestant Martin Luther. He attended the Booker T. Washington High school as a child. He skipped two grades, and, without finishing high school, started attending Morehouse college. He was fifteen. He recived a bachelor in arts and divinity, and a doctorate in philosophy. On june 18, 1953 he married Coretta Scot. They had four children, on of which was named Martin Luther King lll. Martin Luther King jr. became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery Alabama. He became a great sivil rights activist, and greatly helped stop racial prejudice in the US.
In responce to the first question, I think that things would be very different in the US. I think that people would still be very racial toward african americans, especially down south. You can still feel a very slight racial spirit down here. There arn't many blacks in somerset. Possibly, some other black person would acted out against prejudice, but used violent means, and really caused trouble.
In responce to the second question, I think that his dream has been fulfilled, but I think that he would see things that still needed improvement.
sources: me, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.
I’m glad somebody spoke up with eagerness and boldness against discrimination of African-Americans, and as we all know, that somebody was Martin Luther King Jr. I knew that this man was a major influence on the civil rights’ movement. Some of the things I learned tonight were that he grew up in a Baptist church but also became a minister following after his grand-dad. Being of a Christian background that admired black social gospel he decided he wanted to contribute to making society better.
ReplyDeleteWell, he did. His “ I Have A Dream” speech of course is what stands out to me the most when I hear his name mentioned. I think his dream came true. When you consider the huge progression throughout history from blacks being slaves, to being segregated, to now-you might see what I mean. It doesn’t take rocket science to know that he was right when he said in this speech that “there would be no rest or tranquility” unless blacks were granted their rights, and America would cease to totally ignore how unconstitutional is was to discriminate. How different would America be today if not for Martin Luther King Jr.? I don’t even want to know. Some people are still racist to this day, which is sad but true. But would the civil rights movement have been issued if not for King? He and others who even became threatened and persecuted in Birmingham, Alabama were the reason for John F. Kennedy’s reaction to the boycotts that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. King’s courage and way with speeches were certainly of help also. I think it’s great that this man has a national holiday set aside just for him (and not just because we get out of school for it, of course).
I'll answer the first question. If there had been no Dr. King, I think Blacks wouldn't have been as motivated to move forward in society. In his speech "I Have A Dream" he gave all African Americans a dream and many went out to make that dream come true.
ReplyDeleteIn the 1960's there were many riots. Blacks were rising and a lot of Whites did not like it at all. Though I do not think riots are good, it was good for the Blacks because they were making progress. It may have taken a lot of work, but finally Blacks were joining together with Whites.
Before, there was segregation where the Blacks had to sitin the back of the bus because they were not allowed to sit with the Whites. They had to use separate water fountains and bathrooms; and they had to eat separately from Whites. But then Dr. King came along and changed that with his Civil Rights Movement. Heck, he was the Civil Rights Movement! Ha. Ha.
But without God none of this would have happened. Dr. King was a man of God, and through him God used him to speak the words that God gave to Dr. King. To God be the glory.
Sam, another very good essay. I really liked how you emphasized the weight of his speech. It was so successful and we see through its impact, that speech is very important. Just our words alone can have an impressionable effect on everyone. People will forget things you do (whether good or bad), clothes you wear, or who you knew, but it’s hard for someone to forget the words you say, especially if they were hurtful. So looking at Martin Luther King Jr., we can really see how carefully we must choose our words. Great job!
ReplyDeleteTyler, in your essay you mentioned Martin Luther King’s wisdom. I often overlook one of his most prominent qualities. We emphasize his speaking ability, strength, courage, and intelligence, but this quality really stuck out to me. Many of us would not have handled the civil rights movement like he did. He insisted on doing things peacefully and, well, civilized. That was the best thing to do considering the awful retaliation they received, but it had to be hard for them. He knew what needed to be done and did it in a way that he felt was safest. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThe voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the dessert, a highway for our God." Isaiah 40:3
ReplyDeleteLike John the Baptist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a voice, and a passion and zeal behind it. Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. stood for his people; he stood up to injustice and corrected it. His "I Have a Dream" speech still lingers on within our hearts, a speech that inspired and influenced many people. I believe his speech made a difference. And some aspects, most, have been fulfilled. His Dream was a vision. His Vision was to see a country where no one would harbor the feelings they had then and would give justice to the people who deserved it. Many people today still have racism burning within their hearts and are still involved with organizations that discriminate against colored people. (Such as the Klu Klux Klan.) But his vision of justice, freedom, freedom for the people in our country was fulfilled. Even though Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. is a national icon, he led a human life. And in a human life, there are temptations and weaknesses for those temptations. He stumbled, but in God we are a new creation. And the Lord picked him up and made a great man out of him and used him to free the people who were bonded by injustice.
And my sources were you Mr. Akers, The Bible, and this website. (:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
Had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today?
ReplyDeleteI think the United States would be quite different today if it were not for MLK. The things he has done and the impact it has made would have been, in my opinion, almost impossible for anybody else to do. People don't stand up for what they believe much and I can only imagine how hard it would have been back in the 60's at the peak of racial criticism. I think through the times, the same freedoms would have been granted. I don't know if that would have happened in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's or maybe it would not have happened until later past the time we are currently in. What Dr. King has done is just astonishing and makes me wish I could meet him to just shake his hand and say “Thank You!”.
Has Dr. King's dream been fulfilled (referring to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech)?
Has Dr. King's dream been fulfilled? Definitely! America has changed a lot since Dr. King was assassinated. African Americans have freedom, equality, and respect. We have an African-American president for the first time ever! Something unheard of, even 10-20 years ago. I believe Dr. King would be extremely proud of what America has come to and we would still be praising him for his amazing works in the Civil Rights Movement.
**All information was acquired on the websites listed on the blog …
ReplyDeleteHad there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today?
I cannot say that equal rights for all in our nation would not have been achieved if it weren’t for Dr. King. I believe that if he had not been able too that someone else would have risen up to fill those shoes.
But if he had not been or no one else had risen up I think America would be much like it was then (whether it would be worse or not I cannot say). There would be more outspoken hate from both sides and I believe that if such conflicts had not been softened as early as they were that any such movements now may have been more violent. Yet one cannot say because that’s not the way it happened.
Yet in this question you cannot say that Dr. King was any less of a speaker or activist than he was. He was a very influential man that inspired a great number to stand up against the social injustice in our society at that time. He was a motivational speaker and in that he never urged for revenge or violence but a voice for all those who were discriminated against. One of his quotes that I found while doing my research is this: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” He never urged people to fight with anything but words, just like Gandhi. And when you look at it that tactic worked. And though he was arrested for his speeches it didn’t stop him and that determination to have equal rights for all was spread across the nation and all the way up to the Lincoln Memorial where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
In conclusion, I reiterate that I can’t say that America would be that different but I can say that what he did was great and I’m glad he did.
“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”
ReplyDelete-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, with the original name: Michael Luther King Jr., which he later changed to Martin Luther King Jr. His father was a pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church; Martin was a co-pastor. He graduated high school at the age of fifteen, attended Morehouse College, and later Crozer Theological Seminary. Mr. King was on the board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and was a deeply devoted Christian. As most of us know, he was also an avid civil rights activist. He spoke millions of times around the country; wherever there was a social injustice, he was there advocating racial equality.
If Martin Luther King Jr. had never stood up and spoke out, what would America be like today? Honestly, I don’t think it would be much different, considering he was not the only man defending civil rights. However, that is not to say he was just the same as anyone else of the times.
Martin Luther King Jr. is a legacy, not because of what he did and said, not because of when he said it, not because the odds were against him. Martin Luther’s life is a legacy, an example, because he simply was not silent. As the quotes from his own mouth say, it is not the men who do evil, but those who keep quiet in spite of it that are the most guilty of all.
This is why he has become such a prominent figure in our history. When all around him things were evil, when he knew the right thing to do, this man did not sit by and let it continue. He was aggressive, not passive. He stood up for what was right, rather than allowing evil to reign without end.
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King JR. was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia and died April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee . He was a prominent leader in the civil rights movement, his main goal was to make progress on civil rights in the United States. Martin Luther King JR. has become a human rights icon, some people believe that he is a martyr. King, was a Baptist preacher where he became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 bus boycott, and he also help found and became the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. His work led to the “March on Washington” in 1963 where he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Martin Luther also became the youngest man to ever win the Nobel Piece prize in 1964. King was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.
ReplyDeleteIn response to question one: I believe that America would be different, but not as different as everyone might think that it would be. Not to strip Martin Luther of anything I believe he accomplished great things in his life. But eventually someone would have came around and realized something needed to be done.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/ML
ReplyDeleteand my own knowledge were my sources...
Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the most important and famous people in American history. No one could possibly deny the amazing impact he had.
ReplyDeleteHe was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta. He grew up in Ebenezer Baptist Church, of which his dad was the pastor; before King’s dad succeeded him, King’s grandfather was the pastor. His dad also became a Civil Rights leader and saw the church as a tool that could be used to better the lives of African-American communities. Dr. King eventually became the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and received his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston University in 1955. Around that time, Dr. King also led an effort to desegregate Montgomery, Alabama, buses that ended up being successful. In 1957, he helped start the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was the first president of the organization.
Some other important milestones
1958: published first book, Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story
1963: delivered I Have a Dream speech in D.C.
1964: won Nobel Peace Prize
1968: was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Lorraine Motel
Has Dr. King’s dream been fulfilled?
Yes, it has. It’s pretty incredible how different things are now. Basketball and football are dominated by African-Americans, and we have a black President.
I used the second website you gave us.
ReplyDeleteWithout Mr. King I believe the life of not only african-americans would be different but that our everyday lives would have been largely more regimented. Mr. King ,though obviously not the first, was the most significant of the civil rights leaders. Without his unifying leadership the Civil Rights Movement may have been a far more violent protest. King encouraged non-violent marches in stead of rioting, and diplomacy in leu of violence. Without him the end effect of equal civil right would have indeed still happened but at a much slower pace. I think our country would still be experiencing extreme civil rights "reform" if the resolution had come at a much later time like the late 80's.
ReplyDeleteDo I believe that Dr. King's dream has been fulfilled? Absolutely! Civil rights are equal for all people now-a-days. And though I don't agree with him, we have an african-american president, so I'd say civil rights are definitely even at this point.
Martin Luther King is perhaps one of the best known and well accomplished civil rights activists in United States history. Although slavery had officially been abolished, racism and segregation still existed between whites and blacks. Martin Luther King worked to break down these barriers of racism and hatred by leading the civil rights movement.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta. He attended high school at Booker T. Washington High school but skipped several grades and went to Morehouse College at age 15. He graduated in 1948 with a degree in sociology and went to seminary in Pennsylvania. He began his legacy of civil rights activism when he joined the executive committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Under this organization he led a boycott of the bus system to end segregation in public busses. The boycott lasted 382 days until n December 21, 1956, when the Supreme Court had declared the segregation of buses unconstitutional. He later helped lead a march on Washington for civil rights in 1963. The march made demands to end segregation in public schools and ban racial discrimination in employment, and other civil rights. It was on this march that he made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The March was a major success. Martin Luther King was later assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Tennessee.
If it were not for Martin Luther King, I really do not know how different America would be today. I think if he did not lead the movement for civil rights, someone else may have. Then again, maybe they would not have and there still be segregation.
Had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today? Well I believe that just as America always does there would have been someone else that stepped up like Dr. King did. There would have been someone that looked at it and said this just isn't right we are both people what's the difference between us? The answer is nothing. Who knows when this unknown person would have stepped up and led them as Dr. King did but I believe that there would have been someone. Even if it wasn't at the magnitude that Dr. King had done it would have finally snowballed and picked up pace and finally gotten there even if we don't know when. I believe it would have been differently in many ways without him and there might have not have been as many accomplishments with just one person but instead with the people as a whole when people finally just said this is WRONG. Of course this is all theoretical and what I think would have happened but that is what I think. THE END
ReplyDeleteoh and my reference was:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mlkonline.net/bio.html
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ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this subject. I'm a really big believer in equal rights and treatment without regard of race or gender. Anybody who knows me, knows that's true. With that said let me continue with the designated questions. Has Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "dream" really been fulfilled? That is entirely a matter of opinion and depends a lot on what region you go to. In most places, yes, I believe that his dream has came true, and I personally think that that's a beautiful thing. Not just for Afican Americans, but for people of ANY different race or color. I was able to sit in a meeting this past week with both other caucasion people and people with brown skin. And ya know, we never thought anything about it. We sat there in that office and had conversations, and we had a mutual respect for each other as human beings. I can't imagine life any other way. I can't even begin to conceive a world where I had to avoid somone for no other reason than "their skin looks different that mine."
ReplyDeleteThat brings me to the second and final question. How our great nation be different today if there had been no Dr. King? Well, the extremely tragic thing is that in some places, it isn't very different at all. There are still places where people are still so primitive and barbaric that they still judge and discriminate against other human beings just because they have a different color skin. I say that to say this. Even though it's still that way in a few little counties, had it not have been for Dr. King and his dream, I believe it would be that way in many, many more places. We needed a radical, revolutionary like Dr. King to stand up and suggest that there is a better way of life and that one day, it could happen. And I believe for the extrordinarily vast majority, it has happened.
Thank God for men like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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ReplyDeleteFirstly, did Martin Luther King’s existence in history affect America so greatly that it changed our morals? Yes he did, along with other important characters and incidents. Even small events in history can have a huge effect. If his wife had not had been arrested, would he have even been motivated? Martin Luther defiantly changed the way America thinks.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, has Martin Luther’s dream been fulfilled? Of course it has. African-Americans have been given political jobs, duties in law enforcement, Congressional seats, and even the Presidency. If any amount of racism still exists, it exists in a very small quantity. Racism is now even discouraged. The movement has probable been more successful than Martin first anticipated. He would be shocked to see the change in America.
Third, Martin Luther choose to lead the movement the way he did for a reason. He didn’t lead by rioting or rebelling but in a peaceful manner. Not to mention he won a Nobel peace prize. He was a pastor and had a PHD in theology wich gave him a great background in Biblical and moral standards. He realized that the Government should not enforce unjust laws. I don’t think you could have picked a better man to lead a nation through a peril like this one.
“I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.” Those were the first words of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech he gave on August 28, 1963 in our nation’s capital. He was the last man to speak that day and surely the most remembered. He made allusions to Lincoln’s own famous Gettysburg Address, and, of course, delivered his now famous line, “I have a Dream.” He had faith that on that day a message was going to be sent; it would be one that couldn’t be ignored. It’s been almost forty-seven years since he delivered that speech and can we say his dream has been fulfilled? I think we can say his dream has been achieved. Even right after his speeches things started to change. The next year he was the first African American named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. More of a superficial step forward but a step forward none the less. He also received the Nobel Peace Prize that year and gave all the money he would receive to Civil Rights causes. Dr. King also got to live to see the first Black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who was appointed in 1967. And, recently we, as a Nation, have elected an African American man to be our President. This is a step forward that King would have loved to have seen. Sadly, there will always be people who are racist, but as a country I believe we’re as close as we can get; we are a country where Dr. King’s four little children will one day live in a nation where they are be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character; and that was his true dream. Dr. King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I believe Dr. King died always ready to, as Prov. 31:8-9 said, “Speak up!” for what he believed in. So, according to him he lived a full life up to the moment he was killed.
ReplyDeleteDoctor Martin Luther King Jr. was a very inspirational man. he inspired many people of not only America but all over the world. He was a very influential man, and progressed America into a more modern society, where the color of your skin didnt matter. I can imagine that there were a lot of people who did not like Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. If Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was not around, there would probobly still be segregated schools, and segregated bathrooms, and many other things. There are still a lot of racist jokes and comments going around today, and yes, there are plenty of people who do not like anyone else but white people. Like skin heads, KKK, White supremacy, things like that. Which should not even be acceptable in modern day society. Racism is wrong in every way possible, no way getting around it. Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was and always will be a very important role model in every place in America, and every one should appreciate what he did for this country, and how important was and still is to the progression in America. Unfortunatly in his prime, he was murdered, but will still live on as one of the greatest men in history.
ReplyDeleteAmerica definitely has changed because of Doctor Martin Luther King Junior's inspiration and his leader like qualities that would eventually change America forever. No matter what people say racism is dead. Yes, there are definitely racist jokes floating around out there, but no one is as serious about it as it used to be. No one goes and says "lets go kill some black people." Nobody would say that now and that is all because of Mr. Martin Luther King Junior. As Dr. King Junior was growing up i don't think that he aspired to be one of the greatest leaders of all time. He was just a fairly poor pastors son. As he got older though he realized the horrific things going on in this horrible world. Without him though I think that racism would still have been abolished... just about twenty years late. Of course there will still be radical racists out there like any other "cause" unfortunately this isn't one that will help our nation but hurt us. He did our nation a lot of good and in the end he helped us be more mature. If we put our differences there will always be more potential in becoming a better nation and moving forward.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I think you had a good essay. I completely agree with your essay. Emily, I think you had a good essay. I completely agree with your essay. “He had a great passion and as his speech says he “had a dream”. He really wanted this and sacrificed his life for the rights of his people. If he had not that kind of passion, America may not be where we are today” is one of my favorite parts in your essay.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that if there hadn’t been a Martin Luther King Jr. that America would not be what it is today. In my essay I also included that the way he did his protests were very
I also believe that if there hadn’t been a Martin Luther King Jr. that America would not be what it is today. In my essay I also included that the way he did his protests were very peaceful and he did not invoke violence in his listeners; but like you said during these protests some people acted violently even though that was not a goal in his mind.
So, Charity, I have to say I liked reading your essay quite a bit. It was well written and I love what you said about how Martin Luther King Jr. was still human and he stumbled every now and then but in our weakness, God is strong. God can still use us if we are willing to stand up and do the right thing. No matter how cliché that may sound to some, it’s still true. Also, instead of sugar-coating your essay, you made sure and stated that most but not all of racism has vanquished, even though blacks now have their rights. When I saw that you had a Bible verse in it I wasn’t sure if it would fit with this topic not but as I continued reading it I realized it did, and you can apply Scripture to anything. You did a good job in fitting all the pieces together from what you had heard in class, the Bible, and your research. I could tell you weren’t just “winging it”. Good job.
ReplyDeleteHannah, you had a really good essay. My favorite part of your essay was: “No I don’t think that he was simply a man with a dream. I think that Martin Luther saw what would happen if the world didn’t get over the problems they had with the African-American race”. This, in my opinion, is true. In his “I Have a Dream” speech he said that he wanted his children to grow up in a nation where they weren’t judged by the color of their skin but their character. And if you look at that it seems like he did foresee what was going to happen if it didn’t change soon.
ReplyDeleteCody, I have to disagree with you. Racism is not completely dead. There is more still going on out there than just racist jokes, people (like the Neo-Nazi organization )are still horribly racist and killings still happen. Also, there’s more to racism that just black people. Racism can be flipped around the other way against white people, South Americans, Asians- “red, yellow, black or white”-it doesn’t matter. You’re right that Martin Luther King Jr made a huge impact against it, and if it wasn’t for him it would be a lot worse. But, I wouldn’t be so bold as to say that “no matter what it’s dead”.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther king jr. was born in Atlanta Georgia on January 15th 1929. Later on in his life Mr. king decided to become a preacher in Alabama. He was a very faithful man and believed very strongly in the word. Soon after he decided to serve the Lord as a preacher he got his Ph.D from Boston university. Despite all Mr. kings many accomplishments he was mostly known for his famous speech “I have a dream”. In this speech he mainly fought fro equal rights towards black people and the end of racism. Even through his ministry martin luther argued for people to to judged by their character not by their color. Some could say that he was successful because today there is a lot less racism in the world. I personally believe that we never will because of mans sinful nature. Even today we have a black president. They really have come a long way and I br]elieve we owe a lot of it to people like Martin Luther King jr. without men like him who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and for what is right even though the world wants what is wrong the we as Christians would fail
ReplyDeleteThings in America would be very much different had it not been for Dr. Martin Luther King. This country might even still be segregated; we might not have our country’s first black president in all of our history. We might still have white kids going to one school, and black kids going to another. But one thing’s for sure Mr. King had a great impact on society, and played a major role in bringing people of all races together.
ReplyDeleteWhat he did was incredible, but it was anything but easy. I couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to lead peace rallies and marches, and give speeches when the majority of America was against him. All though we have made great strides, I don’t think he would be fully satisfied with America yet. There is still a lot of racism and discrimination out there today. All though it is nothing at all like it was in his life time. I would find it very interesting to know what Dr. King would say, what he would feel if he was told that America would have its first black president. He would probably be very happy and extremely shocked. Would he think his “dream” had come true?
America was a very different place forty or fifty years ago. we cant honestly imagine it unlsess we were there, of coarse it was worse in some places as opposed to others, nevertheless "a dream" has grown into reality. and the crusader who is credited with this movement is of coarse MR Martin Luther King Jr. Today in america racism still exists, however it is on a much smaller scale and is viewed by society very differently than many years before. Dr. King, traveled and learned, he was a very educated man, not in so much the classroom but he had seen cruelty and experianced it, he saw many others stand for what they believed to be right, which even included whites, the civil rights movement was not a battle to defeat the whites but was simply a stuggle for rights, people, equal no matter their skin color, have certain rights that are endowed by our createor and that includes african americans. i believe dr king if he could see us today would see a changed america, a more enjoyable america where both blacks and whites and every other race co-exist and have become color blind and are bound by a deeper alliance, being people, being americans. Dr. King had a dream, though there is still unfairness in both directions, i believe he would see and acknowledge that we are fallen people in a fallen world and it takes a dream to unites us, even more it takes people willing to stand for whats right, like Dr. King, and last he would see how God is our only hope for true unity.
ReplyDeletesources: http://www.biography.com/articles/Martin-Luther-King-Jr.-9365086?part=1
ReplyDeletewow, david your essay is really good. i didnt know all that about Dr. King and his life. he saw change (ever so small) even in his day. you really show his character in the essay, i think your quotes add much more meaning and show us a side of Dr. king we may not all see, he was a man wiht common sense and obviously saw that every man is equal. i really enjoyed reading your essay. great job!
ReplyDeleterobbie, i think your essay is very thought provoking, how could we really know?? but then again we see the hand of God acting not just our lives but in our country and the history of the world. he undoubtably changed our history but also the way segregation will be viewed by those and is viewed outside of our country. Dr. king is one true american who was color blind and motivated by character, he was someone to model ourselves after and speak out. today in our ever changing america, we must too speak out or we stand to loose everything our founding fathers, our soldiers, and Dr. King died for. awesome essay!
ReplyDeleteHad there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today?
ReplyDeleteI believe that if Dr. King had not stepped up and fought to end segregation that we wouldn’t be as far along as we are today. I think that we would eventually start to drift away from the racial prejudice as African Americans proved to everyone that they were just as good as everyone else but at a much slower rate.
Has Dr. King's dream been fulfilled?
We have certainly made progress since King made his speech over forty years ago, but I don’t think we are out of the woods just yet. I think his dream is in motion but not quite completed. The election of Barack Obama in 2008 was certainly a HUGE step to end racism but we still have a ways to go. Hopefully we will keep progressing and racism will be eradicated, although I doubt that will be anytime soon maybe not even in our lifetime…
I thought your essay was very good, David. I liked how you included his quotes, especially the second one. What he said really was true. We are not making much of our lives if we don’t stand up for what is right or talk about what really matters, especially the Gospel. I also liked how you said that Dr. King lived to see Thurgood Marshall appointed. Like you said, he lived a full life in his eyes and made a difference.
ReplyDeleteYou did an excellent job on yours, Mady. I loved that first quote you included. That is true. It is just as bad if not worse when good people are silent about what should change than when bad people create an uproar and cause problems. I thought you did a great job describing his life and who he really was as a person. I also think it’s cool how you said that wherever there was a social injustice, Dr. King was there.
ReplyDeleteJ. Bird: I agree with your statement that said "if there had been no Dr. King, then the civil rights movement would have been delayed and prolonged significantly." Its hard for me to understand a atmosphere in an American culture that would deny people the right to sit on a bus anywhere they would like to, and make them eat in a different part of the restaurant, Or drink from a different water fountain, like they had cooties! The atmosphere has changed thank God. I feel still changes that need to be made.
ReplyDeleteJ Anderson: I find it facinaiting that century's after he died Martin Luther was still able to influence History. I think its important that we learn to make important decisions knowing the difference between preference vs principles. Preference is I like chocolate ice cream and you like vanilla. Principals go a lot deeper and are based on convictions that you are willing to die for. The principles that moved Martin Luther to challenge the Catholic Church were able to influence the kings so much so as to change their first and middle name. That is a legacy
ReplyDeleteSam, I like what you said and agree 100%. We have definitely come a long way from what this country was back in the 60's and with an African-American president, who can disagree?
ReplyDeleteJaykub, you said a lot of the same things I said and I definitely agree. He was definitely not the first or the last to stand up for civil rights, but was definitely the most significant and played a major role in it.
ReplyDeleteJAnderson, first of all, you did a very good and thorough job telling the important information about Martin Luther King. It was well written and concise. Second, about the question if his speech has been fulfilled, you made a good point that many blacks play sports, own businesses and are even president. You are right, and I agree to you to an extent that his dream has been fulfilled. There is obviously much less racism in America and blacks have defiantly progressed in society. But there is still some racism in America and blacks and whites are still stereotyped differently. When we think of rappers and professional basketball players we think mostly of black people. When we think of businessmen and most politicians we think more of white people. This isn’t necessarily racism, but it is a differentiation. So, I would say the “I have a dream” speech has mostly been fulfilled, but not completely. I also believe there will always be some degree of racism in America.
ReplyDeleteTyler: as usual, your essay was not 200 words and contained very little information.
ReplyDeleteCharity, I love how you compared Marten Luther to John the Baptist. You are right. If Marten Luther hadn’t spoken out against the issues when he did, I don’t think that anyone would have found the nerve to do it any other time. Like John, Marten Luther’s words and actions live on and will continue to do so. And as you said we are all human. But that doesn’t give us an excuse to behave in a manner that isn’t pleasing to God. It actually should make us rely on him even more. I could give many examples as to why someone should follow God. But that is something that a person has to find out for themselves before it will apply to them personally.
ReplyDeleteCody,
ReplyDeleteI like the comment you made about Martin Luther not just one day saying "hey I want to be an advocate for civil rights woohoo!" You're right though; he didn't. Luther did something everyone of us should be doing, that is standing up for what is right, what is true. Good job on your essay!
This is just something that was on my mind today. One of my friends was recently in a beauty pageant. During the personal interview she was asked the question “If you could trade places with someone, dead or alive, for one day, who would it be?” For privacy reasons I wont tell you her answer but I will the you that after this assignment I would have said Marten Luther King Jr. Don’t take that wrong or anything, I just thought that it would be interesting to see things from his perspective. To have experienced part of his life and still known how it would end, to know that you were there when the would was being changed.
ReplyDeleteZach,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on something you mentioned. As you said, NOT to belittle anything Martin Luther did, but I think we do have to recognize that there were other people who did things to stimulate change. And it was more than just this one man who brought about such a large "flip" in society. Again, not to discredite the man in anyway, because what Luther did and stood for is incredible.
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ReplyDeleteBtw..To anybody that thinks racism is still a large part of society, it's not. Not like it has been before. True, there may still be some opionons or predujices, but seriously guys; if racism was still a massive problem, you wouldn't have people rushing to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. And..just to point out in the 1960's the University of Kentucky..you had to be either 1. White and rich 2. White and smart or 3. White and SUPER athletic to get to go there. (That's not to say it was ALL white, but you didn't see a variety there.) Anyways, for you UK Sports fans, take a look at our starting lineup for basketball (they're all black), and that goes for a majority of the football team as well. And Joker Phillips is black too..so..to say racism is still thriving is a bit of an exaggeration..
ReplyDeleteEmily, I love what you said: "First of all, I do believe that if he had not been there, somebody would have taken some initiative, but not quite in the same manner as he did possibly. He had a great passion and as his speech says he 'had a dream'. He really wanted this and sacrificed his life for the rights of his people." That's something I've really always thought about regarding history and events in general. If Hitler wouldn't have caused genocide, then someone else would; if Eve wouldn't have eaten the fruit, then someone else would have. It’s really an interesting dynamic to consider that if Martin Luther King Jr. hadn’t been the one to step up and say this is wrong; we know it; and I’m ready to change it, then someone else would have. But, as you said so eloquently, it may have been a long time. Someone had to and needed to do it, and God put this man on earth for that very purpose. What a message.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story Biggin. Being a pastor, family man, Doctorate, and President of a Christian organization that gave leadership, he was defiantly qualified to lead the movement. Best of all, he was for non-violence which is probable why the movement wasn’t like another French revolution. Nobody could have picked a better man to lead us through this movement.
ReplyDeleteYes I am glade too, Anna Katherine. Just imagine what would have happened if instead of a peace-minded Martin a war-minded maniac with nothing but destruction and violence in his mind had lead the movement. Congress would have passed laws against the civil rights movement and we would certainly think differently today. Somebody had to do it and I am so glad it was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His “I have a dream speech” is probably the most associated thing with him. It was probable the most inspirational speech given at that time.
Ashley. Like you said, riots are horrible but they helped to end the discrimination between races, although I wished they had followed King’s example and remained peaceful. Dr. King was a very influential man and was a major part in that time of our country’s history. Very good essay. =]
ReplyDeleteBen. Your essay really got me thinking about all the “what if’s” in our history. So many tiny insignificant details can change a generation. I’m glad that King didn’t encourage violence and instead gave hope and courage to the people to stand up for themselves. I really enjoyed the background info in your essay. Good job.
Hannah, I enjoyed reading the comment you recently posted. It would be so interesting to spend some time in Dr. King’s shoes and see all that he did to affect the Civil Rights movement. I never really thought about anything like that before.
I'm ticked! I did this once already and for whatever reason it's not on here. I did it on Thursday, but...GRRR. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream was that America would become what they were intended to be: a nation where all men are created equal. He wanted a nation where his children would be treated a s equals to whites. He wanted a nation of freedom; true freedom and equality. Has his dream came true? Yes. Though there are still prejudices today, for the most part, blacks are equals to whites. (example: This past year we elected our first African American President of the United States.) We may still not be a completely accepting nation to those of other skin tones, but we are getting better. This is the way I see it: why should we possibly consider one to be less of a person because of the amount of melanin in their skin. Dr. King played an important role in ushering an age of equality for our nation and setting up a system of justice and fairness. He will forever be remembered for those urgent and beautiful words: “I have a dream.” And here we are about fifty years later. That dream has come true.
ReplyDeleteDr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an extrodinary man. He was one of the most influential, if not the most influential African American in our countries strong history. The question “How would our country be different today if not for Dr. King” is an easy yet hard question to ask. He influenced our country in so many ways so it is an easy answer to the broad variety of choices to choose from to talk about. But at the same time, it is hard to do Mr. King justice and describe all of his marvelous works.
ReplyDeleteMr. King was an inspiration for all African Americans. He led movements, led boycots, gave speeches, and stood up for people lik a real leader should. When it comes to being a true leader for the people the follow you, Mr. King is at the top of the list, no matter what skin color or race that people split you into.
But back to the question. If not for Mr. King the country would be completely different than it is today. For all we know the school buses may still be blacks in the back, restrooms may still be seperated by skin color, and blacks would have nowhere near the rights they have today. I think we can all take time to appreciate what Dr. King did and remember his passing in honor.
Sam Weir,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your essay. I didn’t not know that Dr. King helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Actually, I didn’t even know there was a Southern Christian Leadership Conference as a matter of fact. It takes a strong man and leader to get up in front of 250,000 people and deliver a speech like his “I Have a Dream” speech. I agree one hundred perent, it was by far his best speech and most powerful speech of all the speeches he produced.
Camden,
ReplyDeleteYour essay was one of the better essays ive read. I like how you start off with useful information from the beginning. But one thing that I disagree with though, is that you think the world would not be much different today. The statement that it just needed someone to strat it is true, but I don’t think that anyone could have started the movement with the bang that he did.
The life of Martin Luther King Jr.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King Jr. was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. His original name was Michael as was his fathers. However they were later changed to Martin after Martin Luther. Martin Luther King Jr. was married in 1953 to Correta Scott. Throught their lives together they had four children and he even named one of them after him and his father. Now he came from family full of pastors so he too became a pastor in 1954 at the age of 25. He pastored at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Martin Luther King Jr. also was a founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in which they used to protest for civil rights. He led campaigns in many places, some of them were held in Birmingham, Alabama; Albany, Georgia; Selma, Alabama; and St. Augustine, Florida however he is most commenly known for his campaign in Washington, D.C. Here is where he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Over 250,000 people heard his speech there. His speech as we know was very successful and is still talked about today.
Now for the question had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today? Well Im sure it would be different however I am not quite sure in what way. Its hard to tell I mean maybe it would have taken longer to stop racism or who knows but yes I am sure it would be different.
*My source was wikipedia
Zach, I kinda see what you mean by saing that the world probably would not be that much different had not Dr. King come along and did what he did. Because surley someone else would have come along and done the same thing. but what if no one would have? What if no one would have been as brave as Dr. King was, stepping up and voicing his beliefs and the Word of God like he did? In my Opinion, the world would be very different even if someone else had come along.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your comment to my essay, Hannah. I didn't quite follow your meaning on the last half of the comment. I wasn't trying to say that he gave excuses, but I do know that I do not know his heart or how he was living when he died. But he did follow Yahweh, he may have lost his way a couple of tymes, but he did know God's heart and loved it. And I know you can say that I did not know him and how can I know? Or who am I to judge? But you can tell buy the fruits. Yes this man was unfaithful to his wife and God, but God took that brokenness within him and transformed it into something that God could use to make people see and to help unharden hearts.
ReplyDeleteJarred, i liked that you said " for the most part, blacks are equal to whites". So many people think that there is still a lot of racism going on today. But there's not, yes there is a lil but not nearly as much as there used to be. For example, my sister went to Georgetown College and found out that blacks get a free ride, books, and a dorm. And I also noticed that on Kentucky's, and many other basketball teams, that their almost all blacks. So yeah, how can someone say that there is still a lot of racism today? I don't get it. But anyways, good essay.
ReplyDeleteAnd also Anna, in response to your comment towards my essay.(: Thank you for your compliments. And about the bible verse, Isaiah 40 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible; somehow this chapter goes along with my calling. Yes, i am called to be a worship leader, but God has been opening more doors, so it goes even deeper than that. So when i received a part of my calling it was through this chapter. John the Baptist has been someone who i have really looked up to through the scripture, and now looking at Martin Luther King Jr. it’s seeing a man who had a calling on his life like i do mine.
ReplyDeleteMichael Pope, you essay was awesome. I agree with you that racism is still here just on a smaller scale. After all, there we don’t have segregation or slavery anymore, but often we have discrimination or hate crimes based on race. The bond you pointed out between people in our country, a bond that’s not race or being part of a certain culture, or even part of a certain state, but a bond shared between all Americans, but like you said even a bond like this isn’t perfect. We are a fallen people and will be until we die or the Lord comes back and until then we will never be a perfectly unified people. It’s sad but true. I think Dr. King’s dream will only be completely fulfilled in Heaven.
ReplyDeleteJosh Parker, you did a good job fleshing out Dr. King. You made him a person with a history, not a lofty historical figure. Then you pointed out all his achievements up to his tragic assassination. I did think it was funny that you talked about how football and basketball are dominated by black players. Though this seems minor to us it would’ve been huge to people in King’s time. I’m sure we’ve all even seen movies about the first black players on teams at predominately white schools. (Remember the Titans… etc.) Anyway, good point, Josh.
Caleb (little bear)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed ur essay on the life and career of the great martin luther king jr. however I really enjoyed how u mentioned how the mentioned how is ministry impacted his outlook on life. An really inspired him to stand up for the black people and their rights. I also like how u talked about his political campaign. That he lead around his near by states and how he lead the march to Washington DC to give his amazing I have a dream speech in front of the Lincoln memorial. This was a major thing he without him knowing it. We as Americans still make this symbolic march every year and I believe mr akers attends it. Good job little bear I really liked everything you had to say u made ur father proud =) but as you can tell at this point im running out of things to say and are rambaling just so I can meet the word quota
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your report, for various reasons. First of all, it was written in a very informative and accessible way. It really told the story of Dr. Kings amazing life very well. Also, I must give you props for your summarization. Very nicely done. You included so many pivotal moments from Dr. King’s life and really captured the essence of the man’s story. I really wish you had expounded more upon how his “I Have a Dream” speech has been fulfilled though. But otherwise, awesome report.
Emily,
First off, very well written report. Then again, yours are always well written, so let’s move on to the good stuff. First of all, I sincerely appreciated the fact that you jumped into answering the questions given nearly immediately. Nothing against my classmates, but I noticed many people gave a lot of biography then answered the question very briefly and vaguely in a short paragraph. Instead, you made how the world would be different without Dr. King the “meat-and-bones” of your report. It worked very well for you as I gained not only information on his life, but also some insight into what it would have been like without him. Thank you for your input!!!
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ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King Jr.
ReplyDeleteHe's a difficult topic to cover completely. What with all of the Dreams and accomplishments etc. He was an amazing man. When you mix a little bit of bitterness with worn down patience and pride, you get this unstoppable man. While he was a hugely famous character, he was also a humble man. Like most blacks of this time, he had lowely beginnins. Growing up in a middle class/ poor family was common to him. He worked for everything he did.
He had a dream.
Probably many. But the most know is that America could live unified as different races. It's actually a pretty ingenious idea if you think about it. To bring differnces together to find common points. Yes, He couold have just hated white people and have no desire to live in harmony with them. But no, he desired that all ages and races of America live together in harmony. Crazy