The Trials and Tribulations of Martin Luther King Jr

Unit 5 Project Kaplan University SS310-03 Exploring the 1960’s March 25, 2010 Abstract This paper is meant to describe the trials and tribulations as well as the influences and effects that the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. had on the 1960’s and beyond. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King was born on January 15, 1929 as Michael Luther King but changed his name to Martin in 1934. King was brought up in a morally wealthy family as his grandfather and father both served as pastors. He had a B.A. from Morehouse College and a B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity) from Crozer Theological Seminary in Upland, Pennsylvania. He was elected to president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which was an active†¦show more content†¦Whenever he spoke publically, he referenced God and the bible and promoted his beliefs in his peaceful teachings. King is most famous for his â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech performed on August 28, 1963 in Washington, DC. This speech delivered some extremely powerful messages to the nation and to the African American community in general. I personally find this passage to be especially powerful as it pulls words right from the Declaration of Independence and delivers them in a comman ding context: â€Å"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. (Martin Luther King, 1963) Assassination In Memphis, Tennessee, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on March 4, 1968 while on a balcony at the Lorraine Motel getting ready to march with the African American sanitation workers on a wage and working issues topic. King was only 39 years old, but had made such an impact on not only the African American community, but on America as well. James Earl Ray was charged with the crime and was later sentenced to 99 years in the Tennessee state penitentiary. Here are the ending words King used in a speech on April 3, 1968 at the Mason Temple one day prior to his assassination: But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And so I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried aboutShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King Jr.1046 Words   |  5 Pagesactivist, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his memorable â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech while standing at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. His uplifting speech is one of the most admired during the civil rights era and arguably one of the best in American history. On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about the true American dream: equality. Although the video of his oral spectacle is powerful, the written document portrays exactly how brilliant Martin Luther King Jr. reallyRead MoreRhetorical Analysis of the I Have a Dream Speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.1219 Words   |  5 Pagesechoed throughout Washington D.C. August 28, 1963 as Martin Luther King Jr. paved the path to freedom for those suffering from racial segregation. It was the day of the March on Washington, which promoted Civil Rights and economic equality for African Americans. In order to share his feelings and dreams with th e rest of the nation, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech encouraging all to overcome racial segregation. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech was very effective due to theRead MoreLeading Organizational Change Essay841 Words   |  4 Pagesexact. That state agency is the State of Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. â€Å"The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is a state organization empowered to serve all Arkansans. It was created in 1993 by Act 1216 of the Arkansas General Assembly to promote the legacy and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.† (AMLKC) The newly-established Martin Luther King Jr. Commission†¦exists to promote the teachings and legacy of Dr. King. 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(King) The conflicts met between the Civil Rights Movement protesters and the white people of the South were incrediblyRead MoreMy Opinion of the American Dream701 Words   |  3 Pagestakes to make the dream a reality theres a simply explanation to this: People come from different places, and everyone has a different story to tell. No two lives are just alike, there are going to be people who have experienced different trials and tribulations, people who have seen what you havent, people whos struggle has been a little rougher than yours, people whos dreams have been shattered, people who havent lost hope, people who believe all hope is gone, and people who feel that what was