The Influence of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin had many influences throughout his life, many of which would shape his rhetoric, and the way he handled himself and those around him. Martin’s influences could be traced back to three things: his parents and home life, his education, and then his own personal experiences with racism. These three topics shaped Martin and his views on racism, and they were also what made him the most respected and the most admired Civil Rights Leader of his time. Martin’s Parents and Home Life Martin Luther King Jr. stood for many things; non-violence, love, equality, peace, all of which could be used to define his perfect community, his perfect world. Martin believed all of these things could be achieved with persistence and the right frame of mind. And from the numerous Civil Rights achievements Martin made throughout the course of his life, it was clear that his philosophy and his beliefs really were true to the very last detail. Martin wasn’t however, born with these beliefs, or his leadership abilities. Martin was a thinking man, but most importantly, He was a by-product of his surrounding environment. Martin’s early life could be considered normal by some given the time era, but being looked down upon because the color of your skin is something you would never like to get used to. Martin was born on January 15th, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia into the prominent black middle class family of Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Christine Williams, and was the second child and first son of the couple. Martin’s early life consisted of being surrounded by two Baptists Ministers (‘Daddy King’ and his grandfather, Alfred Daniel Williams) on a regular basis, along with living in a very moral based household. Martin Luther King Sr. was as strong in his will as he was in his body. He had a dynamic personality, and his very physical presence (weighing about 220 pounds) commanded attention. He had always been a very strong and self-confident person. Martin