Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I choose him because I feel like he was the most important voice of the American civil rights movement. And it worked for all equal rights. He was a very famous man, famous for using nonviolence. And he never got tired of trying to end the segregation law, laws such as preventing blacks from entering certain places in restaurants, public schools, restrooms, and hotels. King also did all he could to make people realize that all men are created equal. Martin Luther King, Jr. helped changed America. And I like how he brought to the world’s attention how unfairly the blacks were being treated. And his speech “I have a dream” gave people the faith they needed and courage to keep working peacefully. King made life fairer …show more content…
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. And his birth parents were Alberta Williams King (mother) and Martin Luther King (father). His father was a powerful leader in Atlanta’s African American community. Martin Jr. also had two siblings, an older sister name Willie, and a younger brother, Alfred. His grandmother, Jenny Williams, stayed with his family while he was growing up. His family heritage was rich with community leaders and social activists, such as his grandfather, Adam Daniel Williams. Williams founded the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, and led a protest that won money to build public schools for African American children. The Kings lived near a family owned grocery store. And young Martin Jr. would often play with the white grocers two sons. They did nearly everything together. But one day the two sons mother told them that they could never play with him again because he was black. This was his first experience with racialism. His mother explained that even though the Civil War ended slavery, blacks were still not free because hatred continued in the United States. It was this and other experiences that led him to fight for the rights of his fellow African …show more content…
The King’s legacy also includes influences on the Black Consciousness Movement and Civil Rights Movement in South Africa. His dedication on preserving his legacy and the work of championing nonviolent conflict resolution and tolerance worldwide. This is how Martin wants to be remembered, He stated, “I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for peace. For righteousness. And all of the other shallow things. I won’t have any money to leave behind. The fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. (King, Jr.)”. In 1971, some cities and states established annual holidays to honor King. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a holiday to honor King. The holiday is on the third Monday of January each year, nearly the time of his birthday. In 2000, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was officially in all fifty U.S. states. Utah was one of the last states to recognize the