“If a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he is not fit to live” – these words are still well-known today and have truly determined not only the life of one man, but of an entire race. Nobody has ever been able to influence the destiny of one class as much as this man did.
Martin Luther King Jr.: A man whose one of a kind rhetorical skills and unique determination to make a change have rewritten endless chapters of history, of slavery, of segregation. A man who took very seriously what he said; a man who never gave up on his dream, not even after uncountable insults, attacks and assassination attempts; a man who stood for what he said and finally paid with the death.
He was “fit to live” though. And the result is that his legacy has not only protected innumerous “Negros” from being insulted, humiliated and abused, but has also provided them more equality and a sense of unity and brotherhood. Special about his endeavour was his tremendous condemnation of any sort of violence, what he elucidated when he said that “nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time.”
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the sustainability of Martin Luther King’s project and to conclude what impact it had and still has on the contemporary American society. First of all a brief overview of the history and situation of African Americans in North America from the beginning of their importation until the onset of the civil rights movement will be given in order to illustrate the circumstances King was facing and to acknowledge the improvements achieved by the civil rights movement activists in general and Martin Luther King in particular.
In the following part King’s life and beliefs will be more closely examined in order to explain how he had become the charismatic and influential leader living in the memories of a whole nation and how his relentless fight for his ideals has changed and shaped the face of America. In the last part it will be discussed whether and to which extent Martin Luther King still has an impact on today’s American society by analysing recent examples which prove that thanks to Martin Luther King America has become a fairer and more human place, but also by exposing facts that pose challenges in terms of equality.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Brief overview of African-American history
- From slavery to freedom
- From freedom to the Civil Rights Movement
- From the Civil Rights Movement to equality by law
- Martin Luther King
- Early Life
- Leader of the Civil Rights Movement
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Selma to Montgomery March
- Late life
- Vision
- Impact
- Does Martin Luther King's crusade of equality still live on?
- Equality in politics
- Barack Obama – the first Black president
- Voter participation in national elections
- Equality in education and economics
- Education
- Unemployment rate
- Income distribution
- Poverty rate
- Equality in justice
- Crime rate
- Ferguson - an example of ongoing racism
- Equality in politics
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to discuss the sustainability of Martin Luther King's project and to conclude what impact it had and still has on contemporary American society. It examines the historical context of African Americans in North America, focusing on the struggles they faced from the beginning of their importation to the onset of the civil rights movement. The paper then delves into Martin Luther King's life and beliefs, exploring his leadership and the ways his fight for equality shaped America. Lastly, the paper discusses whether and to what extent Martin Luther King's legacy continues to influence today's American society, analyzing recent examples of progress and challenges in achieving equality.
- The history of African Americans in North America, from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement
- The life and beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr.
- The impact of the Civil Rights Movement on American society
- The current state of equality in America, with specific examples of progress and challenges
- The sustainability of Martin Luther King's vision for a more just and equal society
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction sets the context for the paper by highlighting Martin Luther King Jr.'s impact on history and his commitment to equality. It outlines the paper's purpose and structure, which includes an overview of African-American history, an examination of King's life and beliefs, and a discussion of the sustainability of his project.
- Brief overview of African-American history: This section provides a brief history of African Americans in North America, from their arrival as slaves in the 17th century to the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement. It examines the struggles faced by African Americans, including slavery, segregation, and discrimination. The section also highlights key milestones, such as the abolition of slavery and the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
- Martin Luther King: This chapter focuses on the life and beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr., exploring his early life, his role as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, his Nobel Peace Prize, his famous Selma to Montgomery March, and his legacy. It delves into his vision for a more just and equal society and the impact his work had on the American landscape.
- Does Martin Luther King's crusade of equality still live on?: This chapter examines the extent to which Martin Luther King's vision for a more just and equal society has been realized in contemporary America. It analyzes progress made in areas such as politics, education, and economics, while also acknowledging ongoing challenges and inequalities. Specific examples are provided to illustrate these points.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of this paper are: African-American history, slavery, segregation, Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., equality, justice, politics, education, economics, poverty, racism, and contemporary American society. These terms encompass the key themes and concepts explored in the paper, examining the historical context, the figure of Martin Luther King Jr., and the ongoing struggle for equality in America.
- Quote paper
- Brigitte Wildberger (Author), 2015, Martin Luther King. Does his crusade for equality still live on?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/358326