Martin Luther King, Jr Michael Luther King, Jr., later changed his name to Martin, was born on January 15th 1929. His parents were Alberta King, a schoolteacher, and Michael Luther King, who was a Bapist minister in Atlanta, Georgia. His father adopted his name after the German Protestant leader Martin Luther.
The young Martin had two siblings, Willie Christine and Alfred Daniel Williams King. Despite their father’s best efforts, their children encountered racial prejudice. Martin Luther King Sr. was a staunch supporter of racial tolerance because their black ancestors not only came across racism but also segregation.
As a teenager, Martin attempted suicide by jumping from a second story window at their home after his grandmother died of a heart attack while he was outside watching a parade. He attended …show more content…
Much to his father’s dismay, he decided not to join church ministry. Though, he later on took a Bible class, strengthened his Christian faith and began to consider a career in ministry.
After graduating from Morehouse College with a sociology degree, he joined Crozer Theological Seminary where he greatly excelled in his studies. While in college, Martin rebelled against his conservative roots by playing pool and drinking beer. However, in his final year, he received mentorship from Benjamin E. Mays, who championed racial tolerance and influenced King to perceive Christianity as a platform for societal transformation.
Dr. King is credited with advancing the progress towards racial equality for African Americans in his 13 years as leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. He is regarded as the nation’s foremost champion for nonviolence and among the world’s greatest nonviolent leaders. Dr. King drew his inspiration for nonviolent civic advocacy from his Christian faith and the teachings of Mahatma