Martin luther king jr - Research Paper Example

Martin Luther King Jr Clergyman To A Charismatic Civil Rights Movement Leader Every man comes into this world, plays his role either in a positive or negative way and then leaves footprints after making his contribution but there are some who are remembered for centuries for the efforts they put in. Martin Luther King Jr. was one such man who spent all of his life struggling for the rights of African Americans. The best thing about him was that he led non-violent protests for the members of his race.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a clergyman who introduced social change in a peaceful way. Later, with the passage of time, he became a prominent and a famous leader who was conducting a civil rights movement to fight for the equality of African-Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in January 15, 1929. His grandfather served Baptist Church in Atlanta from 1914 to 1931. After the death of his father, he served at the church as a co-pastor. At the age of 18, King became a Baptist minister. After completing his graduation in 1948 from Morehouse College, he attained his PhD degree from Boston University in systematic theology.

King then served Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery as a pastor in 1954. King was also nominated as a member of the executive committee of the National Association. It was one of the major organizations who was working for the rights and advancement of Black people. One of the initial civil rights actions of Martin Luther King was when he led the Bus Boycott. A lady Rosa Parks refused to give her seat to a white man which resulted in this Boycott. King was leading the blacks in this Boycott, which was against the segregation in buses for black and white and it lasted over a year.

Martin had to pay a lot for leading this Boycott as his house was bombed and he was jailed too but his efforts worked finally. He came out of the jail and the discrimination in the buses came to an end. Martin Luther King, in 1963, also organized a March consisting off 250,000 people. The aim of the march was to protest against discrimination in schools, employments etc. During this march, he delivered a famous speech titled as "I have a Dream". This resulted in a great achievement when, in 1964, a civil rights act was passed.

He also made a major contribution in writing by becoming the author of five books. For his restless contribution against African-Americans segregation, King was awarded with noble prize only at the young age of thirty. He further proved himself to be a leader devoted to his objectives when he announced to donate the prize money for civil rights movement. He was shot dead in 1968 while standing on his motel room’s balcony in Memphis. Martin Luther King Jr. not only fought for black people but he fought for humanity.

His journey from clergyman to a superb civil rights movement leader was full of challenges and sacrifices. His efforts against segregation of black and white will always be remembered and appreciated. Marian Wright Edelman paid a tribute to King and said “A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back — but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you” (Richards, 11). Further, Barak Obama, during the ground breaking ceremony of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

National Memorial admired King and said “Like Moses before him, he would never live to see the Promised Land. But from the mountain top, he pointed the way for us” (Coopman et al, 447). Obama also paid tribute to him with the following words and said “This sculpture, massive and iconic as it is, will remind them of Dr. King’s strength, but to see him only as larger than life would do a disservice to what he taught us about ourselves.” (Hertzberg). Analyzing his efforts and success against race segregation proved that he led a successful journey from a clergyman to civil right movement leader.

His efforts to establish peace in the world will always be remembered. He is still memorized as a great leader with a charismatic personality who awakened African Americans and made a major contribution in fighting for their rights. Works CitedTop of FormBottom of FormTop of FormCoopman, Stephanie J, and James Lull. Public Speaking: The Evolving Art. Boston, Mass: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.Hertzberg, Hendrik. “Barack Obama, Art Critic” Barack Obama, Art Critic : The New Yorker.

The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Mar 2013. Richards, Dick. The Art of Winning Commitment: 10 Ways Leaders Can Engage Minds, Hearts, and Spirits. New York: AMACOM, 2004. Print.Bottom of Form