Martin Luther King, Jr. became the leader of the Civil Rights Movement that fought to end racial segregation and discrimination in America during the 1950s and 1960s. He was a very effective spokesperson for advocating nonviolent methods of bringing about social change. His persuasiveness as a speaker and his well-liked personality was noticed by large amounts of people. His determination to establish equality among all races despite risking even his life, caused people all over the world to become supporters of him and his beliefs. Through each of his steps towards a life with racial equality, he brought change that would take him one step closer. Marthin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most influential people in shaping American culture. …show more content…
was one of the most influential people in shaping American culture is because he was able to gain many supporters in his fight for civil rights for African Americans. One example of this is when he started off by becoming heavily involved in the Montgomery bus boycott, a protest against the policy of racial segregation on public busses. The boycott was formed in response to African Americans being forced to ride only in the back seats. With each act of opposition, King would gain supporters of the cause, even those unaffected. The overwhelming amount of support would eventually cause the South to rethink, and eventually change, their policies on public transportation. After his work in the bus boycott, he founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in order to better organize his efforts. Another example is when he led the Birmingham movement. Birmingham was a city with among the most racism in the US during the time. Black citizens faced discrimination everywhere they went, culturally and even legally. King founded a movement against this known as the Birmingham movement. The movement incorporated various forms of protest in order to bring attention to King’s effort of ultimately ending racism in the city. Many people in support of the movement were attacked by police, including the use of hoses and dogs. The movement ended with a large amount of support and brought change of the discrimination laws in the city. These are just two of the many examples that King made