Martin Luther King Jr.: Inspirational Leader of the Civil Rights Movement

Who spurts into your mind when you hear the words, crusader, dignitary, and an outstanding child of God? There are numerous names you could associate for those descriptions, such as George Washington, Thomas Edison, or even the inquisitive mind of Christopher Columbus. Although they were exceptional figures in history, only one shines beyond the rest. This proud disciple of the Civil Rights struggle is non-other than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This Georgia native grew up to infiltrate him into the dangerous realm of segregation and spoke above the criticism of separation to preach equality for all human beings. He once said, "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."1 This simply demonstrates Dr. Martin Luther King's goal for his people: to always be free and equal everywhere. King's own voice rang out among masses of Americans and stressed that all man kind shall live in peace until the end of time.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood up on scores of occasions to express his mind in hopes of changing the way many think and live, and to give aid to those minds paralyzed with fear, saying it is just for people to stand up for what they believe in. His will for a better life sparked profound speeches that energized his followers wherever his feet took him.1

On the 3rd of April 1968, King delivered his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" declamation. His intent was to show how far he would go to make his dream of a new nation come true. Within this masterpiece he declares; "I would move on by Greece, and take my mind to Mount Olympus, but I wouldn't stop there. I would go on even to the great heyday of the Roman Empire, and I would see developments around there, through various emperors and leaders. But I wouldn't stop there. I would even go by the way that the man for whom I'm named had his habitat, and I would watch Martin Luther as he tacks his ninety-five theses on the door at the church of Wittenberg. But I wouldn't stop there. I would come on up even to 1863 and watch a vacillating president by the name of Abraham Lincoln finally come to the conclusion that he had to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. But I wouldn't stop there."2

Indeed he wouldn't stop there. From city to city and state to state Martin Luther King Jr. continued his march through hoards of people telling him he is not equal to the white race or he will never live in peace. One of the most memorable and well-known pieces of his time was the "I Have a Dream Speech." It is plainly stated just how much he longed for freedom and equality, renouncing; "I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."3

His noble dreams portrayed the ideal way of life for civilization, not only in America, but around the world as well. Not many men have courage to address a nation so gallantly as Martin Luther King Jr. did so many times. He was seen as an outsider to the white community during the Civil Rights Movement. Discrimination and hatred dominated the southern states, schools and public buildings had separate facilities for blacks and whites, and a form of terrorists against blacks roamed the dark streets of the dejected. In King's writings and speeches, he releases his disbelief of the distinction of life when he stated, "Discrimination is a hell hound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them."4

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been revered as the symbol of what morals and values we should all possess. He inspired people through his sermons, marches and speeches to lead a life of truth, and if ever a right or principle is tested, to stand up and follow your heart. Maybe if we all live by his conduct the world would be a better place for us to live.

1 Brainy Quote. "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed," (accessed October 21, 2007). http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html

2 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. "I've Been to the Mountaintop," (accessed October 21, 2007). http://history1900s.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.africanamericans.com%2FMLKjrI%27veBeentotheMountaintop.html

3 Mount, Steve. U.S. Constitution Online. "I Have a Dream Speech," October 2, 2007 (accessed October 21, 2007). http://usconstitution.net/dream.htm

4 Brainy Quote. "Discrimination is a hell hound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society domination them," (accessed October 21, 2007). http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html