Martin Luther King faced resistance to his efforts and at all levels, from local police, district judges, governors and even the President of the United States. He was arrested over 20 times, yet despite it all, he continued in his labour for change. In addition to the police violence and violence from segregationists, King also faced threats and violence from members of his own race that did not agree with his views of peace, unity and brotherhood. He was stabbed in the chest at a book signing and later stoned by a group of black nationalists who felt that the history of injustice made racial integration and racial unity impossible.
In an effort to learn more about the plights of the poor, Martin Luther King, Jr. moved into the poorest area of Chicago and switched his focus to a broad social uplift campaign known as“ the poor people’ s campaign.” King believed that in addition to the right to vote, the government would also need to invest in economic and social improvement for true equality to become a reality. King demanded economic aid to the poorest communities of all races in the United States in what would be called the Economic Bill of Rights.
Recognizing the immense sums of money being spent on war in Vietnam rather than those in need in the United States, King began to adamantly oppose the war and call for the end of federal funds being used on violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. suggested that poverty was a major cause of the social problems in the U. S. and called for“ a radical redistribution of economic and political power” that would uplift those from all racial and ethnic groups.
“ We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy. For no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers.” Martin Luther King Jr.
In the last days of his life, Martin Luther King Jr. was supporting a garbage worker’ s strike in Tennessee and planning a massive nonviolent civil disobedience demonstration to bring a broad ethnic and racial mix of the nation’ s poor to set up camp at the national mall in Washington D. C. The goal of the demonstration was to make it unavoidable for the lawmakers at the Capitol to remain ignorant on the plight and needs of the poor. However, before the event could take place, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while exiting his hotel room. As a result, organization and rallies on behalf of the economic bill crumbled and it did not pass.
There is much controversy surrounding King’ s death such as how and why it occurred. King had been under surveillance by the FBI for years including during the shooting, he was labeled as the“ most dangerous negro”, and had faced dozens of FBI’ s attempts to infiltrate and disrupt the movement and to discredit King. The suspected killer, James Earl Ray, was picked up by the FBI and coerced into pleading guilty to avoid going to trial or having evidence produced. Many had hoped for further investigations and clarity.
Despite the controversies over his tragic death, what should be remembered about Martin Luther King Jr. was his profound grasp on the social problems in the world around him and his commitment to use nonviolent tactics to bring about social change. He is a hero in every sense of the word. King committed his life improving the lives of all races and to creating true unity through racial reconciliation.
“ I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.” – King’ s desire for his legacy.
http:// moralheroes. org
Martin Luther King faced resistance to his efforts and at all levels, from local police, district judges, governors and even the President of the United States. He was arrested over 20 times, yet despite it all, he continued in his labour for change. In addition to the police violence and violence from segregationists, King also faced threats and violence from members of his own race that did not agree with his views of peace, unity and brotherhood. He was stabbed in the chest at a book signing and later stoned by a group of black nationalists who felt that the history of injustice made racial integration and racial unity impossible.
In an effort to learn more about the plights of the poor, Martin Luther King, Jr. moved into the poorest area of Chicago and switched his focus to a broad social uplift campaign known as“ the poor people’ s campaign.” King believed that in addition to the right to vote, the government would also need to invest in economic and social improvement for true equality to become a reality. King demanded economic aid to the poorest communities of all races in the United States in what would be called the Economic Bill of Rights.
Recognizing the immense sums of money being spent on war in Vietnam rather than those in need in the United States, King began to adamantly oppose the war and call for the end of federal funds being used on violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. suggested that poverty was a major cause of the social problems in the U. S. and called for“ a radical redistribution of economic and political power” that would uplift those from all racial and ethnic groups.
“ We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy. For no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers.” Martin Luther King Jr.
In the last days of his life, Martin Luther King Jr. was supporting a garbage worker’ s strike in Tennessee and planning a massive nonviolent civil disobedience demonstration to bring a broad ethnic and racial mix of the nation’ s poor to set up camp at the national mall in Washington D. C. The goal of the demonstration was to make it unavoidable for the lawmakers at the Capitol to remain ignorant on the plight and needs of the poor. However, before the event could take place, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while exiting his hotel room. As a result, organization and rallies on behalf of the economic bill crumbled and it did not pass.
There is much controversy surrounding King’ s death such as how and why it occurred. King had been under surveillance by the FBI for years including during the shooting, he was labeled as the“ most dangerous negro”, and had faced dozens of FBI’ s attempts to infiltrate and disrupt the movement and to discredit King. The suspected killer, James Earl Ray, was picked up by the FBI and coerced into pleading guilty to avoid going to trial or having evidence produced. Many had hoped for further investigations and clarity.
Despite the controversies over his tragic death, what should be remembered about Martin Luther King Jr. was his profound grasp on the social problems in the world around him and his commitment to use nonviolent tactics to bring about social change. He is a hero in every sense of the word. King committed his life improving the lives of all races and to creating true unity through racial reconciliation.
“ I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.” – King’ s desire for his legacy.