Martin Luther King
“Free at Last:” The Heroic Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ryan Thomas
LENG_112 Critical Analysis
Elizabeth Kons
May 1st, 2012
Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “We believe the highest patriotism demands the ending of the war and the opening of a bloodless war to final victory over racism and poverty” (as cited in “Martin Luther King, Jr.,” 2010, para. 9). During King’s life in the 1950s, the American society was shaped under the policy of “separate but equal,” as stated by Stephen VanLieu (n.d., para.1), a graduate student at Indiana University. However, for the African Americans equality was fruitless (VanLieu, n.d.). Oppression and disenfranchisement against the blacks in America was practiced by the superior whites, coining the blacks as a minority. Change was dreadfully called upon for the entire African American race and to achieve the desired alteration for the blacks, King took action. He exemplified his extraordinary leadership and rhetoric skills, along with tactics of nonviolent resistance during the Civil Rights Movement, accomplishing his goals of abolishing racism in America, as well as poverty.
While racism and poverty began to grow in America, King fought strongly against these issues of social inequality by protesting and constructing many nonviolent movements. King’s movements vastly influenced social change in America, each striving towards freedom and equality for all races. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Birmingham Campaign, and the Poor People’s Campaign illustrated the most triumph. While America faced enormous racial conflicts, Martin Luther King, Jr. took a stand and saw the need to raise awareness and concern on the social inequalities of racism and poverty throughout his legacy. Undoubtedly, Martin Luther King Jr. was the most prominent figure of the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-twentieth century; all of his works and accomplishments for his articulated dreams of equality and freedom effectively
Ryan Thomas
LENG_112 Critical Analysis
Elizabeth Kons
May 1st, 2012
Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “We believe the highest patriotism demands the ending of the war and the opening of a bloodless war to final victory over racism and poverty” (as cited in “Martin Luther King, Jr.,” 2010, para. 9). During King’s life in the 1950s, the American society was shaped under the policy of “separate but equal,” as stated by Stephen VanLieu (n.d., para.1), a graduate student at Indiana University. However, for the African Americans equality was fruitless (VanLieu, n.d.). Oppression and disenfranchisement against the blacks in America was practiced by the superior whites, coining the blacks as a minority. Change was dreadfully called upon for the entire African American race and to achieve the desired alteration for the blacks, King took action. He exemplified his extraordinary leadership and rhetoric skills, along with tactics of nonviolent resistance during the Civil Rights Movement, accomplishing his goals of abolishing racism in America, as well as poverty.
While racism and poverty began to grow in America, King fought strongly against these issues of social inequality by protesting and constructing many nonviolent movements. King’s movements vastly influenced social change in America, each striving towards freedom and equality for all races. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Birmingham Campaign, and the Poor People’s Campaign illustrated the most triumph. While America faced enormous racial conflicts, Martin Luther King, Jr. took a stand and saw the need to raise awareness and concern on the social inequalities of racism and poverty throughout his legacy. Undoubtedly, Martin Luther King Jr. was the most prominent figure of the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-twentieth century; all of his works and accomplishments for his articulated dreams of equality and freedom effectively
References: Bretz, B. (2010, March). The poor people’s campaign: An evolution of the civil rights movement Carson, C. (1998). The autobiography of Martin Luther king, Jr. . California: Hachette Digital, Inc Jefferson, T. (1776, July 4). U.S. history. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/ John, S. (2011, Auguest 5). Spartacus educational. Retrieved from http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAkingML.htm “Martin Luther King, Jr.” (2010, August 17). Retrieved from http://www.ecu.edu/csdhs/laupuslibrary/ “MLK, Jr. research and educational institute.” (2011). Retrieved from http://mlk kpp01.stanford.edu/ “Southern Christian leadership conference.” (2012)