...Malcolm X is evoked as one of the greatest and influential African American figures, at the same time degraded for the violence he provoked as well as his black supremacy teachings. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the other hand, is recognized as the greatest influential character in the black Civil Rights Movement, with teachings of non-violent resistance and equal rights for blacks and whites. After spending several years in prison, Malcolm converted to the Muslim religion and utilized newspaper columns, radio, and television to convey the Nation of Islam's (NOI) message. King strived to gain credentials from his audiences by everything from his tone to quoting biblical figures. Malcolm X was not able to influence the black community as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. Due to their differences in childhood and religion, their philosophies differed, causing supporters to accord more with the statements of Martin Luther King, Jr. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Earl Little, a Baptist minister; and to Louise Norton Little, a housewife busy with the family's eight children. Earl Little was a supported of Marcus Garvey, the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). This prompted the Little family with death threats and by age four, Malcolm's Lansing, Michigan home was burned to the ground. Two years later, Earl Little was murdered by a white mob. Louise trying to keep the family in order, suffered an emotional breakdown and was...
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...assassination compared to MLK were quite contrast. The conspirators thought that killing Caesar would reestablish democracy in Rome. He was a military commander, dictator, and politician. Brutus says, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen?…as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him”(Shakespeare Julius Caesar 3.2.21-7). Caesar had the loyalty with the army he had a lot of power and everyone knew it. A group of senators planned to collect knives and hide them and kill Caesar in Senate. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated because people did not approve of his actions....
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...extent did the aims and methods of Martin Luther King differ from those of the Back Power Activists? Martin Luther King’s methods are in a stark contrast from that of the BPP and Malcom X. Where Martin Luther King had peacefull aims based on equality which was reflected thorough his choice of approach and response to scenarios. The BPP’s aims were based around their beliefs and as a result their actions reflected this, this difference in aims is what directed these different parties of MLK and the BPP. Martin Luther King’s aims were centred around the ideology of Ghandi and his peaceful approach, Ghandi’s influence was clear throughout MLK’s efforts, his views were based upon that of equality for all races and the progression of the removal of prejudices and a world where “they will not be judged by the colour of their skin”. Martin Luther King’s view of all races being equal is in complete contrast to that of to Malcom X and the BPP who’s beliefs stated that white people were the creation of an evil scientist and were “morally inferior”, this theology meant that Malcom X and the BPP who were a child party of his, viewed white people as below black people, this extremist view again was reflected though their extremist actions and the public gunfights and continued clashes with the police. The BPP’s exclusion of white members went against the efforts of Martin Luther King as it built tension and reinforced the segregation in societies that MLK was trying to combat and break down...
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...Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Darkness can’t drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate can’t drive out hate; only love can do that.” These lines stated by King are very crucial as it was said in a time period where these words were weighed heavily. King is known as a social activist who led the Civil Rights Movement during the mid-1950s. He has made many speeches throughout the Movement in which he is best known because of them. During the Civil Right Movement the main goal of it was to end racial inequality. According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary inequality means, “an unfair situation in which some people have more rights or better opportunities than other people.” Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” is the most compelling...
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...In the PBS film by Tavis Smiley, “MLK: A Call to Conscience,” Tavis explored Martin Luther King’s stand against the Vietnam War and the influence of his legacy today. Tavis reached out to scholars, associates and personal friends of Dr. King who gave personal accounts of their feelings toward MLK and his movements. These events will also be supported by evidence from two other films, “Eyes on the Prize: Episode 4” which profiled MLK’s last year prior to his assassination, and “The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.” which provided additional details in regard to the FBI’s potential conspiracy against Dr. King. This film was chosen as my main source for analysis due to a personal connection with how I relate to Dr. King and his convictions for what he believes in. Just as Dr. King described Americans becoming complacent to the injustices of justice in his speech, we also tend to become complacent about why we celebrate this brilliant leader’s life. His drive and determination should be modeled by every American citizen, especially by those in successive generations who have been denied their dreams. I also intend to highlight why his ideology could live and thrive in today’s policy. The central message of this documentary builds on when Dr. King gave his speech, “A Call to Conscience” April 4, 1967 at the Riverside Church in New York City. As Vincent Harding, a close friend and author of this speech would explain the one thing that never changed during rewrites...
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...What in your view was the short-term significance of Martin Luther King to the Civil Rights Movement? Martin Luther King’s (MLK) short-term significance to the Civil Rights Movement (CRM) can be attributed to his non-violence and his unique relationships with the media and the President. These relationships played a key role in MLK’s and the CRM’s success. We should also not ignore the role played by global politics of the time. The circumstances were such that the CRM may have succeeded even without the assistance of MLK. In order to assess the short-term significance of King to the CRM, we must determine, was it MLK or rather the international situation that led to the successes of the Civil Rights Movement? Word Count – 502 MLK’s significance to the CRM stemmed from his use of non-violence as a tactic to achieve social change. Non-violence served as King’s ideology and methodology, and contributed to King’s significance. Non-violence being met with naked aggression and racism was showcased by the media and condemned by the government. Although several other civil rights leaders, such as Ralph Abernathy, possessed Christian credentials, MLK coupled these credentials with his non-violence and positive relationship with the media. In January 1960 a bomb was thrown on King’s porch and an armed mob gathered that was dispersed only by King’s insistence on calm. A white police officer on the scene remarked, “If it hadn’t been for that nigger preacher, we’d all be dead”. This quote...
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...Dr. Martin Luther king junior was a Baptist minister and social activist, who led the Civil Rights movement from the mid fifty's until his death by assassination. I will be talking about his family and how many children he has, his early life influences, education and job, interests, hobbies, and why I chose him. Dr. martin Luther king junior was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia at his big family home. Martin Luther King Jr. was the middle child of Michael King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Martins father, grandfather, and martin were all ministers. But martin made the biggest impact of them all. Martin wanted to be able to do the same thing with as white people white people. Martin Luther king junior was married to Coretta king...
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...Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a solid force in the fight against racism and segregation in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was a man with profound speaking skills that led to his influence of the minority peoples of the United States. King was a sincere man who was against using violence to rise above the roadblocks thrown in the way of Black people all across the country. Background Michael Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929 to the Reverend Michael Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. The Louisiana State University (1996-2011) website Michael was the first born son and second child for the couple. Michael Luther King, Jr. had an older sister named Christine King Farris and a younger brother the late Reverend Alfred Daniel Williams King. When Michael was young King, Sr. started calling himself and his oldest son Martin. On June 19, 1953 King, Sr. performed the marriage ceremony for King, Jr. and Coretta Scott. Together they had four children, Yolanda Denise born in 1955, Martin Luther III in 1957, Dexter Scott in 1961, and Bernice Albertine born in 1963 (Louisiana State University, 1996-2011). King’s father and grandfather were both members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Atlanta, Georgia. His father’s own fight for equality in voting rights and teacher salaries helped to shape King into a political icon of the future (Carson, 2000). Education King attended two...
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...Augustine “an unjust law is no law at all…” From this we can begin to reflect on the distinction between justice and injustice and justice in laws. Martin Luther King Jr. establishes this distinction based on how a law affects an individuals personality or basic human rights. If they downgrade these things the law is considered unjust, but if they were to boost an individuals personality or soul, this law is considered just. Martin Luther King Jr.’s focus on racial injustice and what makes these laws unjust is supported by his argument that a majority of these laws are established by the “power majority group” (Letter from a Birmingham Jail) which in his case refers to the white clergymen instilling all these prejudice unjust laws. What makes laws like this unjust is that the group establishing them is not affected by these laws but only affects the minority group as well as downgrading their souls and personality. For example, to desegregate bathrooms and have African Americans and Whites share the bathroom would not affect the “power majority group”. Sharing bathrooms with another race has no change on either race’s experience for the short amount of time they will be using the same bathroom. Since, this law only degrades the personality of African Americans, it is unjust. MLK Jr. is enforcing the idea that people in power don’t willingly walk away from high power, even if there is injustice. Changing unjust laws to just laws threaten their power and...
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...Time Capsule Unearthed - The 1960’s Revisited Kim A Murphy SS31-10RP1 March 11, 2014 Evelina Panayotova Time Capsule Unearthed - The 1960’s Revisited In the 2325 there has been a monumental discovery at the historic site of the Woodstock Music Festival held in Bethel New York in 1969. Our archeologists have unearthed a time capsule filled with a treasure trove of items that seem to remarkably symbolize the 1960’s as a whole. The items found were: a contraceptive known as “The Pill”, A Peace sign, a picture of Martin Luther King Jr., Beatles memorabilia, and a newspaper article from 1963 on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Development of oral contraceptives In 1948 with the help of a small grant awarded from the Planned Parenthood organization (Parethood, 2014) and with the assistance of Dr. Min Chueh Chang American Biologist Dr. Gregory Pincus, began working in the early 1950’s on a hormonal contraceptive (Bio.com, 1996-2013). The experiment was using progesterone to inhibit ovulation. They were later joined by a fertility specialist Dr. John Rock and began human trials in the late 1950’s. Margaret Sanger, the Founder of Planned Parenthood, Medical Director, and Vice-President of the organization was a champion of the work being completed by Dr. Pincus and his colleagues. Frustrated with the meager amount of the Planned Parenthood grant Sanger joined forces with Katharine McCormick, biologist, millionaire philanthropist, and activist who was highly involved...
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...realize. It can be clearly seen with some of the greatest speakers seen; Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, Jimmy Valvano, and Steve Jobs. All of them share common threads throughout their speeches, and that’s what makes them great. Their unique tones and methods of conveying their message shows their excellence. By use of tone and sharing personal stories or alluding to other texts, great speakers convey their messages in many ways. In his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. creates a distinct and professional style by use of literary devices to convey his message. MLK’s use of literary devices provides emphasis and strengthens his hopeful, unified, and well-prepared speech. MLK often uses allusions to different texts within his speech in order to get a point across, such as referencing historical texts to bring out feelings of patriotism in the audience. MLK’s message is one of unity and equality, which is eloquently proposed to the audience through his well-usage of literary devices. By unifying his speech in this manner and showing different texts as equal in value, MLK also approaches the audience with the idea that they are all equally as important as well. RFK’s speech on the death of MLK has a very somber and mourning tone, but still proves it’s greatness despite the speaker’s unpreparedness. As the speech was unprepared, RFK does not purposefully use many literary devices as MLK did, though he does on occasion use repetition and allusion to other texts...
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...successful was Martin Luther King’s campaign for civil rights in the years 1955-1968? During this time period, Martin Luther King had many successes and failures in his campaign for civil rights. King played an iconic role in all the work he did for African Americans, his achievements for the Black people were outstanding. On the other hand there are ideas that contradict his greatness on making such an impact to civil rights. We are able measure MLK’s achievements, by analysing how successful he was with his campaigns. Success can be given upon by the result of the predicted outcome compared to the true outcome. In this case it’s whether King’s ambitions for the movement came to be achieved or if his campaigns failed. For this we shall be studying his achievements and failures in the civil rights movement between 1955 and 1968. You can also look at how much awareness of the campaign was made to America, along with this the consequences of the campaigns and what resulted after them. You can use all of these criteria to judge how successful MLK was. King’s first major involvement of leading a campaign started on the 1st of December 1955, when Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up a seat on a bus in Montgomery Alabama. This was when King was first recognised as being a strong leader in gaining equality for African Americans, along with the backing of the church. The result of Rosa Park’s arrest became the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was run by MLK, the NAACP, MIA...
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...Stefanos Lazaridis Prof. Campbell Section 2 16 January 2013 MLK Born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia Martin Luther King was a well recognized figure in the African American community. King was a prominent leader, and civil rights activist who paved the way for two important pieces of legislation to be passed. King helped influence congress to pass the civil rights act of 1964, and the voting rights of 1965. Despite the great unionization Dr. King hoped for between white and black people not much has changed from both parties. If we are to stand by what Dr. King represented fifty years ago then people need to adapt morally with each other and be more accepting. Since Dr. Kings death much has changed between the American people but not entirely. In regards to women as well as African American they too had to fight and protest for women’s rights. After gaining their respect from congress, women today continue to be viewed as minor participants in the working world. Women till this day are discriminated by their gender in some areas of the country, and are a part of this never ending stereotypical cycle. In Dr. King’s speech he explains the social; injustice present in our country and that it is time for it to be revoked: “Now is the time to make real promises of democracy… Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit valley of the racial injustice” (MLK Speech). King conveys a sense of exhaustion amongst his fellow Negro brothers...
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...Martin F. Espinosa Prof. Maria McKenzie English 1302 24 September 2013 MLK It is interesting to notice how much people can influence others with the power of literacy. The capability to express one’s own point of view and direct it others in such a profound and impacting way, that it makes them into followers of their word. These charismatic leaders represent the true nature of what it is to be someone who can use their speech and knowledge to persuade others to follow them. The perfect example of this type of person is none other than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was arguably the greatest civil rights leader ever known and his disobedience letter, “Letter from Birmingham City Jail” is one of the best arguments written by man. Here are the reasons I believe it is such an effective piece of writing. First of all, when we speak of Martin Luther King, we think of the civil rights leader we’ve all learned to love and care for. What many people may have not realized was that this man was a literary genius, and the letter from Birmingham jail honors the intellect and knowledge he had. His letter gives the main elements that compose a great argument. He gives examples of the three main pillars of public speaking and writing, which are ethos, pathos, and logos. He demonstrates his knowledge in different subjects such as history, religion, and politics. He quotes Socrates and St. Thomas Aquinas and other historic figures and is familiar with the fundamental vocabulary of...
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...Civil Rights in the Sixties The 1960s brought about social change in America. America elected the second youngest and the first Catholic president (John F. Kennedy) and the Anti-War Movement began. The Anti-War Movement was based on people mostly the youth of America protesting a war (Vietnam War) that they believed America could not win. At the same time people were protesting the war they were objecting to the social injustice surrounding minorities; thus began the Civil Rights Movement. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was instrumental in starting The Civil Rights Movement the yearlong battle for equal treatment on buses gave minorities the strength to fight for more equal treatment and gave rise to Martin Luther King Jr. who was elected by the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) to lead the boycott. During The Montgomery Bus Boycott whites tried to use the media to put out false stories by claiming the boycott have come to an end and that minorities settled for the same moderate desegregation plan that they received before the boycott. Public opion in Montgomery Alabama at first was against the boycott, but once the business community realized they were losing money because minorities were no longer shopping downtown their opion began to wane. Throughout the civil rights movement the media was a constant force some believe that without the media exposing the at times moving and often unsightly events of the movement that it would not advanced as much as it did. Some Southern...
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