'I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear', said the legend Martin Luther King Jr. He was an inspirational social rights activist and the leader of the American civil rights movement who is remembered proudly to this day. King showed courage because of his dream to make everybody equal, and he influenced others to speak up for themselves. He made a change for racial equality that has helped everyone’s rights, not only in America, but the world.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on 15th January 1929, to parents Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams. King was the second child and had two siblings, Christine King Farris and Alfred Daniel Williams King Sr. Growing up, his father and grandfather guided him and his siblings with their spiritual teachings, as their father was a Baptist minister, and their mother played a significant role in the affairs of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. They were quickly schooled and had to deal with the harsh reality of the racial segregation of the South.
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King, at the age of five, began school at Yonge Street Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia. Graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, then was admitted to Morehouse College at 15, then enters Crozer Theological Seminary. Martin Luther King Jr. earned a doctorate in systematic theology from Boston University in 1955. He had previously earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College, as well as a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary.
On the 18th of June, 1953, Martin Luther King Jr. married Coretta Scott King, and they had three children: Martin Luther King III, Yolanda King, Bernice King, and Dexter King.
The first racial equality protest began on December 1955 after African American, Rosa Parks, was arrested for not giving up her seat to a white man. The next day, Dr. King proposed a citywide boycott of public transportation at a church meeting. He organized a number of peaceful protests as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, including the huge incredible march on Washington, D.C., this is where he presented his famous 17-minute speech called ‘I Have a Dream’. He was inspired to do this because of his Christian belief and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi. “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed”, said the legend himself. King’s courage led the whole nation to a new dream of racial equality.
Although Martin Luther King Jr. was such an inspiration to many people, there were many others who didn’t particularly agree with him. He was arrested over 20 times for protesting, was the object of several violent attacks both to himself and his property and received lots of threatening phone calls. His house was also bombed and set on fire, and he was even tragically stabbed. Even had an attempted assassination on him while doing a book signing in 1955. He was a target of white supremacy. Due to all these things, he still fought and never gave up his dedication never lessened.
Martin Luther King Jr. sadly passed on 4 April 1964 due to an assassination by firearm at the age of just 39. It is believed that roughly 200,000 people lined the streets of downtown Atlanta for King's funeral.
Through his activism and inspiration, he has played a pivotal role in African American history and racial equality. He changed history with his inspirational speeches and his leadership in the protests. His courageous heart has been heard all around the world. He made a difference for black rights. Martin Luther King Jr. will never be forgotten. He will forever and always be remembered as a hero and admired for his change to black justice. King had courage, gave it away, and showed it.
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