Introduction
Certain figures in history cannot go unmentioned every time we talk about personalities who changed the face of contemporary socio-political scenarios. One such figure is Martin Luther King Jr. who not only impacted the American course of history but had also raised storms in several parts of the world. In this article, we are aiming at looking briefly at the impact that Martin Luther King Jr. made on American thinking and society.
He worked diligently to bring about a sense of justice and law that would be impartial to all races and ethnicity. His endeavors changed the vision of this entire planet. Today we live in a society where people are not judged by the color of their skin, and even if they are, there are laws to punish such offenders.
Remember the George Floyd protests that raged throughout America? Heard of the slogan “Black lives matter”? All of this has come to pass largely due to the efforts of this one man. The impact is so distinct that today people who discriminate on the basis of skin color are sneered at and boycotted instead of the ones who are blacks.
Today, one cannot imagine a society where someone finds it ridiculous for a black to become an American president. If Obama was so revered and accepted by major whites, the credit of it goes to Martin Luther who was responsible for the development that people show today in their thinking and acts concerning colored people.
A Brief Biography of Martin Luther
There have been several papers and essays that are dedicated to writing about Martin Luther King Jr. and such eminent personalities. But we shall not go deep into his childhood, education, and such sorts, instead have a bird’s purview.
He was born to an African American activist and Baptist minister and since a very young age have been exposed to Christian beliefs and ideas from all over the world.
He was deeply inspired by the Bible and Christian impressions of love and the non-violent acts and preachings of Mahatma Gandhi in India. He soon went on to become an activist who took part in the Civil Rights Movement that took place in 1955.
In the year 1968, he was assassinated by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Motel on 4th April. It was a black day for the Americans but the fire he ignited didn’t die with him.
King’s Activism and its Impact
King was a vehement activist without being violent. He led protests for human and civil rights for the blacks. He demanded that the blacks were granted the right to vote, labor rights, and desegregation.
The 1955 Montgomery bus boycott was also led by him. He led the Albany Movement but it was a failure. Nevertheless, it propagated the idea of non-violent methods of protests.
His world-famous “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered in 1963 when he organized the March to Washington.
Since his activism, the entire face of protest has changed in the American States. Today what we see as a peaceful protest throughout the U.S is a direct impact of King’s principles and propagation. He was responsible for bringing Gandhi’s ideals to the West and spreading them in places far far away.
If today, we see America hold up the ideals of equality in its voting rights, we have Martin Luther King Jr. to thank for. We owe it to him for opening people’s eyes about the inequality and injustice that they had been inflicting on the blacks for centuries.
Abraham Lincoln abolished poverty but King abolished it from the minds of the people. A nation is not made only by laws but by its people and their outlook. You can have all the fancy laws but if prejudice rules the land, these laws are but fetters for the oppressed and excuses for the oppressors.
Academia today is immersed in studies and research about ethnicity and race and the prejudice they had to face for ages. These intellectuals have none but Lincoln and King to thank. These men have opened our eyes and brought a paradigm shift in social and political history.
Not only his life and works seem to have changed America but also his assassination had a great impact on America.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/y1ms-h50FMA
His Contributions at a Glance
- His vocal opposition to the South African apartheid government had deeply influenced South African politics
- He changed the laws and ideas of justice in America and worldwide. His relentless pursuit of equality uplifted the blacks enormously.
- He became the symbol of peace, hope, and justice all around the world. That was what the world needed to heal at that point in time in history.
King’s Vision and America Today
Americans today would find pre-King America an alien land. Today the U.S we see has completely and officially abolished segregation. That, however, does not mean there aren’t any. But the good part is, there are also people who step up against that and defend the laws of the land and King’s vision instead of primitive discrimination.
Every child today, with decent values, will not flinch sharing their toys with a colored child. Where did this come from? You can guess of course. People of all ethnicities and races come together in festivals, protests, fall in love and watch football games without feeling a sense of prejudice or distinction.
The year 2008 was a landmark for America’s first black president was elected with a lot of love. If King were to witness this, he would have been immensely proud.
Blacks are officially eligible for all kinds of education and jobs. They are judged solely on merit or other criteria that are common for all people. They have a say in the democracy of the country and participate just as much in electing a leader as whites do.
Popular culture has embraced King’s ideals and has introduced black characters as their heroes and villains. The Marvel Superhero Comics have superheroes like Black Panther and Falcon who not only stand as representatives of a black community but also continue to inspire and impart sensitivity and education to children and make America an even better place.
King’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the people.
Final Words
We are not sure anyone can do justice when talking about Martin Luther King Jr.’s impact on America – both its state machinery and the people. We can only say that he is among the leaders who do not die and whose impact can never be exhausted. It only strengthens over time.
