How Did Martin Luther King Jr Appeal To The American Dream

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word” (King, “Acceptance Speech”). Martin Luther King Jr. refused to believe that nothing could be done to achieve justice for all people. He refused to believe that changing the perception of race in America was too great a challenge to face. He refused to believe that the color of one’s skin determined his or her superiority in society. He refused to believe the power of hatred was a force too great to overcome. He refused to believe that there was no hope for a nation broken by racism.

(Kranz 86) grew up in a home centered on the importance of family and religion (Wukovits 15). From a young age it was clear that Martin was a very talented young man with a bright future. He attended Booker T. Washington High School, which happened to be the first public school in Atlanta for African-Americans. Martin was very intelligent when it came to his education and excelled academically. Skipping grades 9 and 12, he was able to continue his schooling by enrolling in Morehouse College at the young age of fifteen years old (Kranz 86). It was clear to many that Martin Luther King Jr. was full of potential and had the ability to do great things. Little did people know just how much potential he had to positively impact the lives of so

He believed that “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (King, “Letter from Birmingham City Jail”). He believed that all human beings deserved to be treated as equals. He believed that everyone was entitled to the same rights, justices, and freedoms no matter a person’s racial background or the color of one’s skin. His beliefs of equality gave him the motivation to work for change in a society blinded by ignorance. King, unlike many who were working to achieve civil rights, believed that violence would not do any good. He decided that he was not going to possess hatred against his oppressors, due to his belief that ultimately “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend” (King, “Christmas Speech”). He instead would love more than he ever had before and work peacefully toward his