The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

History has seen many legendary people. Some fought against the injustices done to communities, while some raised their voice and motivated the world to stand up for their rights. Hence, Martin Luther King Jr. was able to organize the African American people and help them to struggle for racial harmony and equality in a non-violent manner. This makes him the best example of peaceful activism.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929. During his childhood, he witnessed the discriminatory treatment of black Americans, which motivated him to raise his voice against the injustices against the black community. He attended the segregated schools of Atlanta. One of his most moving childhood incidents was when his friendship ended with his white neighbor due to the segregation of schools. Hence, such moving events instilled in him the ability to develop his activism for equality. Moreover, he attended Boston University to attain Ph.D. in systematic theology. His activism was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, who preached the theory of non-violence for achieving the objectives of peace, harmony and justice.

In December 1955, the Rosa Parks incident was a turning point and an initial spark in Martin Luther’s life and activism. Rosa Parks was arrested when she refused to give her seat to a white man. Hence, Martin Luther King Jr. rose to prominence on this occasion and his activism began to lead the first anti-segregation movement. The civil rights activists organized the Montgomery bus boycott that continued for a year. Ultimately, it was the first campaign that led to ending segregation policies by bus transporters in Montgomery, Alabama. Further on, Martin Luther established the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 to fight against racial injustice through non-violent means. The famous civil rights movement campaigns were organized by the Birmingham campaign (1963), the famous Washington march of 1963 and the Memphis, Tennessee workers strike (12 February 1968). His famous letter, known as the “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” on 16 April 1963, served as a deep motivation for his followers in which he stressed the moral basis of the need for a civil rights movement and challenged the white status quo mindset. Martin Luther addressed the criticisms of the Alabama clergy members who criticized his peaceful demonstrations. He described the idea of justice and equality for all and declared it unfair to deny African Americans fundamental civil rights and equality based on race. Further, his famous speech in the Washington march, known as the “I Have a Dream” speech on 28 August 1963, strongly motivated the civil rights movement and black activism. Martin Luther articulately described a world free from discrimination and racial injustice. He asked for promoting racial peace and equality while calling for the union of all people.

Martin Luther’s leadership and activism greatly impacted American history and politics. As a result of his struggle against racial segregation, the American government passed civil rights legislation. Hence, his activism played a major role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act. 1965 and Civil Housing Act, 1968. These laws were able to end racial discrimination against African Americans, protect voting rights and provide equal housing opportunities and ending racial discrimination.

During his campaign in Memphis for sanitary workers’ rights (1968), he was shot dead when standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968. Martin Luther’s death did not stop the activism of the civil rights movement. Rather his death fueled the movement and brought more attention to it. His legacy is a precedent for fighting for the cause to achieve a more inclusive, diverse, and peaceful society.