MLK: A Man Never Forgotten

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Alizah Hashmi, In-Depth Writer

As January 16th comes around each year, the United States is reminded of an extremely important and influential man in American history: Martin Luther King Jr. He was the voice of the black community from the 1950s onwards as segregation and racism were obvious and prevalent issues in America. January 16th, also known as Martin Luther King Jr. day, is a day that many communities participate in freedom marches, public speeches/education, etc. 

 

WHO WAS MLK?

Martin Luther King Jr., born in Atlanta, GA in January of 1929, was an American minister and social activist. He grew up in a middle-class family with both parents having extremely active roles in the church. As King grew up, religion was a big part of his life and greatly dictated his actions and choices. 

 

WHY WAS MLK IMPORTANT?

 MLK was a significant figure in the US from the 1950s to the 1960s. He was the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for the black people in America during that time. When segregation and racism were at their peak, King put everything on the line to fight for social justice for Black Americans. Most notably, he always promoted peaceful methods of protest and deemed violence to be an unjust manner to obtain justice. According to Britannica, MLK paved the way for the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination or any type of segregation in public spaces such as schools, employment offices, public facilities, etc. 

 

According to the Nobel Peace organization, his works were rightfully recognized as he was the youngest man to receive a Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35. He used the money that he received from his nomination to bolster the civil rights movement. 

 

I HAVE A DREAM

“I Have A Dream” was a monumental speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. in August of 1963, during the March of Washington. Most would describe the speech as a call for equality and freedom for all without race being a factor of prejudice. According to NPR, King said the following in his address, “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.” He had already paved the way for racial justice through his bravery and humble stance on changing the American legislature. 

 

He also stated, “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…. I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white fields as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.” MLK’s famous address showed how adamant he was to create a world for all to live in without prejudice and with nothing but love for all.