AP+2016+Martin+Luther+King+Jr.

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 * 1)  Aim: Martin Luther King Jr. was a Civil Rights leader and activist from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s. He was characterized by his charismatic support of equal rights for all people whilst encouraging non-violent protest to the unfair treatment African Americans received at the time. The website, “Biography,” describes him as, “... a visionary leader who was deeply committed to achieving social justice through nonviolent means.” MLK was a man who preferred to fight with his words rather than with weapons. This could be seen in such events as King’s participation in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington DC. King fought with solemnity and used his eloquence and passion to rally others around him. He believed in the equal rights of all people, and his aim was to see that this “dream” of his came to its eventual fruition. His legacy lives on to this day, many seeing him as a figure of peace and equality between all peoples.
 * 1)  Audience: Martin Luther King Jr’s audience was the entire whole of the American people, blacks and whites alike. While somewhat active in religious and civil rights movements before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, King rose to prominence during this time after being selected by NAACP leaders as a young and charismatic leader who could rally others behind him. The website, “Biography,” describes this nomination, “ King was elected to lead the boycott because he was young, well-trained with solid family connections and had professional standing. But he was also new to the community and had few enemies, so it was felt he would have strong credibility with the black community.” Martin Luther King Jr. was a man both blacks and whites could support; he was educated and had a strong religious background which gave him legitimacy and purity in the eyes of the American people (though of course he received a great deal of hatred as well). King perhaps addressed the American people most directly with the delivery of his “I Have a Dream” speech. Physically, King spoke to over 250,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial, but the speech was also broadcast over the radio and television to millions of Americans who heard his message, and in many cases, were moved to change.
 * 1)  Cultural: Today, Martin Luther King is considered perhaps the most prominent and influential civil rights leader of the 20th century. His words are still echoed today in the fight for equality and civil rights in America and around the world. The site, CNT mentioned some of the visible impacts of King’s work in both his time and on the world today, saying, “ On top of his Nobel Peace Prize, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and is one of only four non-presidents to be honored with a memorial, which is located in Washington D.C.’s National Park” (Bobleter). Another visible impact in our society today is the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a memorial to a man who fundamentally changed the culture of our society through the teachings of nonviolence and multiracial acceptance. This holiday is so widely acknowledged that all public schools take an annual recess at this time. And perhaps most notably, America is a more accepting and truly “equal” place than it was before the works of Dr. King, though some would argue that we still have many leagues to go to fully achieve his vision. Regardless, King was a man with a dream for a better tomorrow, I dream he did not live to see come fully to fruition, but a dream that has since entirely changed the perceptions of race and the treatment of all peoples in America today.
 * 1)  Historical :If one idea could sum up Martin Luther King Jr.’s work, it would be that he made history. Born on January 25, 1929, King was involved in the church from a young age. His father being a minister, Christianity had a strong influence on King’s life, though it was not until several years into his college education that MLK decided to pursue the role of ministry himself. King didn’t become involved in the Civil Rights movement until 1955, the same year he earned his Doctorate degree from Boston University. King’s involvement began during the Montgomery Bus Boycott where African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama refused to use public transportation after Rosa Parks was denied a seat on a Montgomery bus earlier that year. An article on the site, ADL, says, “ During these days of boycott, Dr. King was arrested, his home was bombed and he was subjected to personal abuse.” King remained committed to the cause however, helping found and becoming the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. In 1963, King led the March on Washington where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream”speech, earning him the recognition as one of America’s greatest orators. In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, giving his prize money to the cause of civil rights. On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated outside his hotel room while attending a protest in support of fair wages for African American workers. Today, his legacy can still be felt around the country, leaving his mark as one of the greatest proponents of peace and freedom in all of American history.
 * 1)  Works Cited
 * 1)  "Imagine a World Without Hate. Watch the Video!" //Imagine a World Without Hate.// Anti-Defamation League, 2013. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
 * 1)  "Martin Luther King Jr. and His Impact on Today." //CNT.// College Nannies and Tutors Development, Inc., 2016. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
 * 1)  "Martin Luther King Jr." //Bio.com.// A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
 * 1)  "Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I Have a Dream” Speech." //Milestone Documents RSS.// Schlager Group, Inc., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.