Martin Luther King Jr. And Abraham Lincoln As American Heroes

Throughout American history there has been an issue of people following unwritten codes without making the right criticism of the ethicality of the major historical ideologies. However, there have been American heroes throughout time that did outstanding work through finding a different perspective. Their unusual philosophies created a much better world for many of the upcoming generations of people. Their differences and uncommon ideas that go against the norm of their time allowed people to live freely; which wasn’t accepted previously. Standards that consist of slavery which originated from the colonies that were under the control of the United Kingdom. Despite the protection that the British provided for the 13 colonies, they were not satisfied due to their requirements of skyscraping taxations. Which lead to the Declaration of independence in 1776 and the creation of one of the most developed and successful countries in the entire world, America. However, their desire for freedom from the British fabricated a cage for African Americans that were sold by Africa to the united states for the dirty work of the colonies with cheap prices. Which is what began the concept of slavery: the way a person was owned, worked for no money, and dehumanized by their “owner” just because of the color of their skin. When the Africans were brought to the new world, also known as America, they were seen as tools for work and lower than humans whom didn’t deserve any rights nor respect. The idea continued for about 246 years before Americans were forced to recognize the inadequacy of the concept. Furthermore, the force came from the people of color finally gaining the confidence to stand up to their “owners” with the help of some historical figures like Martin Luther King jr. and a powerful white man who had morals like Abraham Lincoln. The never-endingly dark injustice that the founding fathers whom fought the United Kingdom for freedom created until a noble man, Abraham Lincoln, embraced his otherness. He then named his disagreement against the oppression of black men because “all men are created equal.” Despite the majority of the country using this concept for hundreds of years, he bravely went against the very thing that created what he, as the president, was trying to protect and improve. On the other hand, Martin Luther King junior came years after the civil war where injustice still hadn’t ended centuries after the emancipation proclamation due to the continued segregation. However, Martin Luther King junior didn’t just stand by and watch, he took matters into his own hands and protested for acceptance.

For a lot of his vocation, Lincoln accepted that colonization—or the possibility that a greater part of the African American populace should leave the United States and settle in Africa or Central America—was the most ideal approach to stand up to the issue of subjugation. Prior to Lincoln's initiation in March 1861, seven Southern states had withdrawn from the Union. While the Northern states stood with him and fought the southern states to unite the whole country. However, Lincoln was short of supplies and soldiers, so he came out with the emancipation proclamation which had a major effect on the union. To the point where it began “reshaping the cause of the Civil War from the Union to abolishing slavery” says the Biography logo of A&E Television Networks, LLC. Without the support of half of his people he had to turn to someone, and he found people that seek his help at a time that he needs theirs’. The freedom of millions of slaves that he accomplished was more accidental, but still significant to the history of slavery. He used violence and many small battles to reach the support of the country fully. For instance, the Gettysburg national cemetery and he made an address there at “at one of the bloodiest battlefields of the war” (he Biography logo of A&E Television Networks, LLC).

Martin Luther King junior’s first steps towards activism and his journey of becoming a historical figure who was a hero that created more equality and acceptance. Then when another one of his fellow community members as a black woman was arrested for refusing to give her seat up to a white woman. The woman’s , also known as Rosa Parks, arrest gave Martin Luther King Junior the idea of to create the protest known as “the Montgomery bus boycott.” This boycott lasted 380 days, Martin got arrested because the government did not like the boycott nor the massage he was sharing, so that’s how his path of activism started. Martin Luther King’s role in this boycott made him a national figure in the country and one of the best spokesmen of the civil war movement. In 1957 Martin Luther King and around 60 other ministers founded southern Christian leadership best known as S.C.L.C and Martin became the president of the organization. After building the organization MLK and his team started to organize a non-violent protest across the south to promote and bring awareness to civil rights. After all Martin Luther King’s participations to so many boycotts and protests he got arrested again. Moreover, While Martin was in jail, he wrote his famous letter that now best known as “letter from Birmingham jail.” In 1963 over 250,000 people attended from all different ethnicities and colors came together at the national mall at Washington DC to demand justice and equality for everyone. And this is where Martin Luther King gave his famous speech “I have a dream.”

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Although the color of Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln skin might be different, they had a lot in common and helped the civil right movement to demolish slavery. Both of them had similar philosophies how everyone should be treated. In many of his writings Abraham Lincoln make his intentions clear that he does not support slavery, more specifically in letter to Henry Pierce he says 'I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.' Also, he mentioned in letter to Albert Hodges that 'I cannot remember when I did not so think and feel. And yet I have never understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgment and feeling.' Compare to Martin Luther King which had a very similar goal, which was to save African people from all the torcher and hatred they would have to face just because of their color. In One of the most famous speeches in the history of mankind “I have a dream” stated “ I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. ” Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln did everything in this power to make this country a country for every race, all ethnicities and cultures. It is because of their hard work and dedication why we have a country now that accepts and treat everyone equally despite the color of their skin.

There are many similarities about Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln goals and what they want out of life. However, the way they achieved and tried to achieve was very different. For instance, Martin Luther King tried to eliminate slavery peacefully, in one of his inspirational speeches he says, 'Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.' Martin Luther King did not want anyone to commit any act of violent to accomplish their rights. His philosophy was to approach the problems by peaceful protest and his writings. Even though, Martin Luther King was never aggressive toward anyone he got arrested many times throughout his activist life. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln was working toward the similar goal, but more aggressive ways. For example, the according to history website “Union casualties in the battle numbered 23,000, while the Confederates had lost some 28,000 men–more than a third of Lee’s army.” He was a leader of the northern states to fight against the southern states to achieve a union. However, the plans changed when the southern states had the upper hand over Abraham Lincoln, and he was desperate for soldiers and supplies. Which he then wrote the emancipation proclamation to trade the freedom of the slaves for support. With this change of plans the entire purpose the war shifted and turned into a war to abolish slavery.

All in all, they both were similar men that changed America forever for the better and created a place where people can be free and accepted. Despite, the sad and disgusting history that the United States has they created highlights and saw through the dark injustice and saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Which is what kept them both going and gave them motivation to do the right thing despite the complications that stood in their way. Such as the long history that slavery has and the things that it has done for this country easier and cheaper. Even though there are many benefits that people like Abraham Lincoln gained for centuries, but he saw past the personal desire and selfishness. He did that through his strong morals and the way that his integrity was leading him through his entire career and decisions. On the other hand, it was different for Martin Luther King junior because he was born into segregation and he only experienced the consequences of the racism. He only saw people like Rosa Parks and was one of them. Which affected the path that he went through to achieve his goal; because he was black and was the person who was ignored and oppressed, he didn’t have the respect, power, nor support from people in power because they were everything he was fighting against. Knowing their power imbalance due to their races and tactics of change, it is becoming clear why they were fighting. They were fighting to tip the power scale to equal out for all men because it is the right way since we are all humans and are the same if we look past the simple differences. They are heroes that saved many people of color and created unity between the oppressed and oppressors. Which created a more peaceful country and acceptable community within all people.