Martin Luther King Jr's Impact On Society
ever remained unchanged. Revolution is always happening. Change is accepted as inevitable in society, it is constantly evolving to suit the needs of the people, whether it be through government policies, equality and equity to establish a progressive civilization. There are many forms in which social change can be achieved. For instance the influence of strong leadership can inspire the people and reform the social structure they live within. In addition to that, individual activists are another means to gain the acknowledgement of the public, to support their stance on a subject. Both of these methods can bring about social change, it would be difficult to find a solution which benefits the society without leadership and individual activism.
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This paper will discuss the influence individual political activists have had on the social order and the change that was accomplished in order to relieve the issues of the public.
Malcom X’s early life was full of painful and bitter experiences that was ordinary for people of colour in that period. Malcom’s family was under constant threat due to his father being an advocate for civil rights for Afro-Americans, he was murdered by the opposing organization soon after (Simon et al. 2018). This incident brought about further implications, his mother was left to nurture six children under poverty conditions , she was diagnosed with mental disorder due to the emotional distraught of her husband’s passing, which resulted in a breakdown and separation of the family (Simon et al. 2018). Malcom X was put into an orphanage which provided schooling, he was the most intellectual child in his age group (Simon et al. 2018). He envisaged of being a lawyer, but his teacher discouraged him of his dreams, that it was unrealistic for a black person to achieve such a profession and should prioritize carpentry, she told him (Simon et al. 2018). He observed his teacher as she encouraged all the Caucasian students on their career choices, deliberately singling him out, he became disenchanted and ceased attending school (Simon et al. 2018). Malcom later on, converted to being a criminal, dealing drugs and other illegal activities, unavoidably Malcolm was sentenced to prison, which changed his life significantly (Simon et al. 2018).
Malcom’s time in prison allowed him to self-educate himself by utilizing the library in the prison, to make up for the years of school neglected, and developed a talent for public speaking. During this time he was influenced by inmates to join the nation of Islam man. (Harper 1971).He began to advocate for the rights of black people through the nation of Islam combating racism, to achieve equality. He conveyed to his people that fighting for your right is not a crime and that everyone has the right to freedom from prejudice and discrimination (Harper 1971).
He would reinforce the beliefs of the Nation of Islam, that white people are all devils, which hindered the peace negotiations between Caucasians and afro Americans (Rickman 1993). Rather than working towards racial integration, Malcom rallied movements for a separate nation for afro Americans, many of which supported, to fight against aggression (Rickman 1993). Malcom understood the power of speech and leadership, the effect it had on his people, it inspired the black community to rise for change and action to effectuate social change (Rickman 1993). He challenged the power organization, with the use of ordinary and rhetorical dialogue to expose the structure which perpetrates oppression, and poverty culture in the community, which created opportunity for oppression (Rickman 1993). He chose phrases such as “Freedom by any means necessary” to create power within the hearts of the powerless while instantaneously threatening the culprits of oppression (Benson 1974). In doing so, he inculcated fear in those in power, reprimanding them to cease with the unjustly approach towards black people (Benson 1974).
Years later, Malcom renounced his leadership in the Nation of Islam and its bias teachings, he went to pilgrimage in mecca and returned with a different ideology and approach (Benson 1974).
He strived for racial integration, following the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr and founded the Organization of Afro- American unity, he states, he dislikes racism and is opposed to any form of it, he believes that all humans deserve respect regardless of status or colour (Benson 1974). In 1964 he campaigned towards unity between afro Americans and structured the path to socialism, he also advocated for unity between white and blacks, that equality between races is a possibility. He states, he is for justice no matter who it may be, “he is a human first and he is for whoever and whatever benefits humanity towards a progressive society” (Benson …show more content…
1974).
Malcom brought change to his people allowing them to defend for themselves against oppression, he instilled pride in their colour and race, and a role model for those in oppression allowing them to voice their emotions through Malcom’s leadership. He also realized his errors whilst with the Nation of Islam and changed his beliefs for the sake of humanity. In the end Malcom brought unity between the black community, and power to protest for justice.
Martin Luther King JR, a social activist who played a major role in the American civil rights movements (Cook 1968). Born in 1959 in Atlanta apart of a family line of Christian preachers, his father, brother uncle and even grandfather, it was destined for him to follow this path (Cook 1968). He was considered a genius in his primary school years, he skipped grade nine and twelve and was admitted into Morehouse College without completing high school (Cook 1968). In 1948 he graduated with an arts degree in sociology, and then further studied systematic theology and became a certified Doctor of Philosophy (Cook 1968). Kings path to be a social activist was forged by three main figures in his life. Gandhi who inspired king with non- violent activism, Harry Boytes a self-appointed populist for a Christian secretary and finally Howard Thurman, a Christian leader. Thurman also stated due to admiration for King, “you won’t get a Martin Luther King, Jr without a Howard Thurman” (Cook 1968).
Kings, first approach for change was in 1944, when he won the oratory contest in April, addressing “Negros and the constitution”, indicating the unjust policies that disadvantaged black people, whilst it favoured only Caucasians (Glen, Horton and Garrow 1991).
King expresses in his speech that if one colour benefits from liberation, than all colours would to, explicitly stating that all people should have right to equal freedom (Glen, Horton and Garrow 1991). In 1955, King led the Montgomery Bus boycott, when a fifteen year old girl was arrested for refusing to vacate her seat for a Caucasian male, because all the seats in white sector was occupied, a similar incident occurred three day later involving Rosa Parks (Mcghee 2015). The boycott continued for 385 days, protesting and campaigning to end racial segregation on transport services between Caucasian and black people (Mcghee 2015). King managed to abolish the segregation on Montgomery buses, which allowed racial integration (Mcghee
2015).
Kings approach for justice was to destabilize the prejudice laws at the time, they feared that he may also abolish the voting law for whites only and bring equality to his community (Sosna and Garrow 1980). He rallied using a non-violent approach against the voting rights imposed on his community and right to fair trail, public education and government services, all basic civil rights (Sosna and Garrow 1980). They were legislated into the law of United States of America, known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1965 Rights (Sosna and Garrow 1980). This outcome was due to his strategical mindset, where and when to rally or protest, his leadership skills were remarkable. Birmingham campaign also orchestrated by King, was aimed to abolish the segregated civil and prejudiced economic legislations (Johnson 2007). It initiated with a boycott to aggravate the local departments and businesses, to end segregated services in stores (Johnson 2007). However, business leaders and other major enterprises overcame the boycott (Johnson 2007). King opted for a course of sit-ins, to sit patiently when refused service (Johnson 2007). The objective was to provoke the law enforcement in order for detainment, afro- Americans were congested into the prison due to this non- violent protest (Johnson 2007). King expresses that he wanted to create a situation so dire and immense for law enforcement to deal with, inevitably opening the door for compromise (Johnson 2007). Kings approach gained the black community rights to services in stores and public places (Johnson 2007).
This paper will discuss the influence individual political activists have had on the social order and the change that was accomplished in order to relieve the issues of the public.
Malcom X’s early life was full of painful and bitter experiences that was ordinary for people of colour in that period. Malcom’s family was under constant threat due to his father being an advocate for civil rights for Afro-Americans, he was murdered by the opposing organization soon after (Simon et al. 2018). This incident brought about further implications, his mother was left to nurture six children under poverty conditions , she was diagnosed with mental disorder due to the emotional distraught of her husband’s passing, which resulted in a breakdown and separation of the family (Simon et al. 2018). Malcom X was put into an orphanage which provided schooling, he was the most intellectual child in his age group (Simon et al. 2018). He envisaged of being a lawyer, but his teacher discouraged him of his dreams, that it was unrealistic for a black person to achieve such a profession and should prioritize carpentry, she told him (Simon et al. 2018). He observed his teacher as she encouraged all the Caucasian students on their career choices, deliberately singling him out, he became disenchanted and ceased attending school (Simon et al. 2018). Malcom later on, converted to being a criminal, dealing drugs and other illegal activities, unavoidably Malcolm was sentenced to prison, which changed his life significantly (Simon et al. 2018).
Malcom’s time in prison allowed him to self-educate himself by utilizing the library in the prison, to make up for the years of school neglected, and developed a talent for public speaking. During this time he was influenced by inmates to join the nation of Islam man. (Harper 1971).He began to advocate for the rights of black people through the nation of Islam combating racism, to achieve equality. He conveyed to his people that fighting for your right is not a crime and that everyone has the right to freedom from prejudice and discrimination (Harper 1971).
He would reinforce the beliefs of the Nation of Islam, that white people are all devils, which hindered the peace negotiations between Caucasians and afro Americans (Rickman 1993). Rather than working towards racial integration, Malcom rallied movements for a separate nation for afro Americans, many of which supported, to fight against aggression (Rickman 1993). Malcom understood the power of speech and leadership, the effect it had on his people, it inspired the black community to rise for change and action to effectuate social change (Rickman 1993). He challenged the power organization, with the use of ordinary and rhetorical dialogue to expose the structure which perpetrates oppression, and poverty culture in the community, which created opportunity for oppression (Rickman 1993). He chose phrases such as “Freedom by any means necessary” to create power within the hearts of the powerless while instantaneously threatening the culprits of oppression (Benson 1974). In doing so, he inculcated fear in those in power, reprimanding them to cease with the unjustly approach towards black people (Benson 1974).
Years later, Malcom renounced his leadership in the Nation of Islam and its bias teachings, he went to pilgrimage in mecca and returned with a different ideology and approach (Benson 1974).
He strived for racial integration, following the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr and founded the Organization of Afro- American unity, he states, he dislikes racism and is opposed to any form of it, he believes that all humans deserve respect regardless of status or colour (Benson 1974). In 1964 he campaigned towards unity between afro Americans and structured the path to socialism, he also advocated for unity between white and blacks, that equality between races is a possibility. He states, he is for justice no matter who it may be, “he is a human first and he is for whoever and whatever benefits humanity towards a progressive society” (Benson …show more content…
1974).
Malcom brought change to his people allowing them to defend for themselves against oppression, he instilled pride in their colour and race, and a role model for those in oppression allowing them to voice their emotions through Malcom’s leadership. He also realized his errors whilst with the Nation of Islam and changed his beliefs for the sake of humanity. In the end Malcom brought unity between the black community, and power to protest for justice.
Martin Luther King JR, a social activist who played a major role in the American civil rights movements (Cook 1968). Born in 1959 in Atlanta apart of a family line of Christian preachers, his father, brother uncle and even grandfather, it was destined for him to follow this path (Cook 1968). He was considered a genius in his primary school years, he skipped grade nine and twelve and was admitted into Morehouse College without completing high school (Cook 1968). In 1948 he graduated with an arts degree in sociology, and then further studied systematic theology and became a certified Doctor of Philosophy (Cook 1968). Kings path to be a social activist was forged by three main figures in his life. Gandhi who inspired king with non- violent activism, Harry Boytes a self-appointed populist for a Christian secretary and finally Howard Thurman, a Christian leader. Thurman also stated due to admiration for King, “you won’t get a Martin Luther King, Jr without a Howard Thurman” (Cook 1968).
Kings, first approach for change was in 1944, when he won the oratory contest in April, addressing “Negros and the constitution”, indicating the unjust policies that disadvantaged black people, whilst it favoured only Caucasians (Glen, Horton and Garrow 1991).
King expresses in his speech that if one colour benefits from liberation, than all colours would to, explicitly stating that all people should have right to equal freedom (Glen, Horton and Garrow 1991). In 1955, King led the Montgomery Bus boycott, when a fifteen year old girl was arrested for refusing to vacate her seat for a Caucasian male, because all the seats in white sector was occupied, a similar incident occurred three day later involving Rosa Parks (Mcghee 2015). The boycott continued for 385 days, protesting and campaigning to end racial segregation on transport services between Caucasian and black people (Mcghee 2015). King managed to abolish the segregation on Montgomery buses, which allowed racial integration (Mcghee
2015).
Kings approach for justice was to destabilize the prejudice laws at the time, they feared that he may also abolish the voting law for whites only and bring equality to his community (Sosna and Garrow 1980). He rallied using a non-violent approach against the voting rights imposed on his community and right to fair trail, public education and government services, all basic civil rights (Sosna and Garrow 1980). They were legislated into the law of United States of America, known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1965 Rights (Sosna and Garrow 1980). This outcome was due to his strategical mindset, where and when to rally or protest, his leadership skills were remarkable. Birmingham campaign also orchestrated by King, was aimed to abolish the segregated civil and prejudiced economic legislations (Johnson 2007). It initiated with a boycott to aggravate the local departments and businesses, to end segregated services in stores (Johnson 2007). However, business leaders and other major enterprises overcame the boycott (Johnson 2007). King opted for a course of sit-ins, to sit patiently when refused service (Johnson 2007). The objective was to provoke the law enforcement in order for detainment, afro- Americans were congested into the prison due to this non- violent protest (Johnson 2007). King expresses that he wanted to create a situation so dire and immense for law enforcement to deal with, inevitably opening the door for compromise (Johnson 2007). Kings approach gained the black community rights to services in stores and public places (Johnson 2007).