Martin Luther’s Impact on Racism in America

Gloria S. Mainor

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Dr. Robert Pullen

SOC 2275

30 Sept 2012

Martin Luther’s Impact on Racism in America

Today’s (1) society has a lot of problems. After hundreds of years racism still plays its role in our (2) culture. (3) Racism is mostly associated with how African Americans were treated during slavery times and during the 1950s-1960s when Martin Luther King, Jr. marched for the black (4) minority. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man with great (5) charisma. He was able to infuse people with his (6) beliefs and convince them to follow him. King fought for (7) Social Change for his people. King did not believe a man or woman should be judged solely upon their (8) race. Among many things, he fought for equal (9) education for blacks. King was a (10) family man. He went to (11) church and believed in a higher power. He had (12) faith in God and in the American people. King was a great leader and speaker. Today, he serves as a (13) symbol of hope, pride and honor, not only to African Americans, but to white Americans as well. King exhibited (14) values and morals. King exposed Americans to the (15) race-conflict approach by his protest and marches bringing attention to the unfairness of racism. Because of King’s protest he was able to create (16) social change in America. Unfortunately, he was assassinated before he could see his “dream” fulfilled. After his death there was a (17) cause and effect that happened. In some way, it took the assassination of King to invoke the change that he so freely campaigned to create. It is human nature to dislike things or people that are different or that we do not understand. All races experience (18) stereotyping every single day. The change Martin Luther King invoked is relevant today. White Americans are not as (19) prejudice as they once were. Change did come and ironically the tables have turned. Today, there are just as many black Americans who are prejudice against whites as there are whites prejudice against blacks. It is sad that after all these years that people of both races fall victim to (20) hate crimes. Today, there are so many different cultures, races and religions that society needs to open their eyes and embrace the new (21) norm of America. We should practice (22) multiculturalism. We need to accept one another for who we are and break the (23) tradition of racism on both sides. People need to quit thinking of just their (24) self and focus on America. How strong would the United States be if we were always united as one? As Americans! It is my (25) theory that we would not have to worry about (26) terrorism if we stood tall and united. Other countries would be too scared to go to (27) war with us because a United America would terrify them. We cannot have (28) social control over other humans and how they react to situations. However, it is necessary for us to have (29) social interaction to learn about each other so that we can maintain some (30) social structure in today’s culture. If we learn how to communicate with one another and respect each other’s different cultures we have the (31) power to completely end racism.

In conclusion, it is my opinion that based on the efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr. and many others that white Americans have come a long way in the fight against racism. There are the select few that are extreme and are still racist but as a majority whites have evolved into a people who accepts many races and cultures. Now, if blacks would reciprocate the ending of “racism” and let it go, then the country could move forward in a great way and we could just refer to each other as “Americans.”