Martin Luther King, Jr

Martin Luther King, Jr. was perhaps one of the most influential person of our time. As the father of modern civil rights movement, Dr.Martin Luther king, Jr., is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom and peace. Born January 15, 1929, King was the son of an Atlanta pastor. King accomplished many achievements during his life. He graduated from Morehouse as a minister in 1948 and went on to Crozer Theological seminary in Chester, Pa., where he earned a divinity degree. After that King went on to earn a doctorate in theology from Boston University in 1955. King also achieved the Nobel Peace Prize in December of 1964. He was assassinated on April 4,1968, outside his motel room by James Earl Ray. While his views at the time seemed radical to many, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered and respected today as a martyr of the civil rights movement and an icon of change through nonviolent means.

"The Ways of Meeting Oppression", by Martin Luther King Jr., is a story about the ways in which oppressed people deal with their oppression. Dr. King came up with 3 characteristics in which oppressed people deal with their oppression. In this essay we will discuss the three major ways that Dr. King talks about. We will also reveal the one method that King supports.

He first characteristic that King mentions in his writing is acquiescence. In this characteristic, King explains how people give up to oppression and become accustomed to it. He believes that this form is not the way to solve the grief that the Negroes were being put through. In fact, he criticizes the people who utilize this method. The following line proves my statement, "To accept passively an unjust system is to cooperate with that system; thereby the oppressed become as evil as the oppressor."

The second form that Dr. King talks about is hatred and violence. This is another method that he disagrees with. King explains how violence only creates temporary results and creates more complicated problems in the future. As a minister and deep believer in peace, King refused to accept this way. He also believed that this form will only bring injustice to future generations. He explained how violence today will bring chaos tomorrow. An excellent statement made by Dr. King to disprove this method is, "The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind".

The third, and final, way that Marther Luther King Jr., talked about was nonviolent resistance. This form of dealing with oppression was strongly supported by King. He believed that the oppressed must consider the benefits of both methods, acquiescence and aggressiveness. A line that best describes my statement is "...the principle of nonviolent resistance seeks to reconcile the truths of two opposites-the acquiescence and violence-while avoiding the extremes and immoralities of both." King believed that this was the best method and in order for it to be successful the Negros "must work passionately and unrelentingly".

Marher Luther King Jr., was a great leader. In the writing we've just discussed we've learned 3 ways in which King believes are options available to oppressed people. Among these options we also learn the one supported by Dr. King. He explained all methods from acquiescence to his favorite nonviolent resistance. King also gave great examples of each and everyone of these ways. If it wasn't for such beliefs, maybe todays wouldn't be shaped this way.

King was undoubtedly a great leader whom we all admire. A man who changed history and the way people think about each other. A radical thinker who achieved many thing, and created great movements. Despite his death, his legacy and belief still stand strong.

RESOURCES Transitions (Barbara Fine Clouse Pp.507-509) -The Ways Of Meeting Oppression -by Marther Luther King Jr.