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“Dr Martin Luther King was the most influential leader of the Civil Rights…
“Dr Martin Luther King was the most influential leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.”
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Began when Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat for a white person on a bus
Rosa Parks was then chosen to be the face of the boycott as Claudette was a young, pregnant teenager
MLK was chosen to be the leader of the Montgomery Improvement Association in their boycott against segregated transport systems
Had the advantage of being a young, well-trained man who was too new in town to have made enemies
Was generally respected and it was thought that his family connections and professional standing would enable him to find another pastorate should the boycott fail
First speech to the group as its president
We have no alternative but to protest. For many years we have shown an amazing patience. We have sometimes given our white brothers the feeling that we liked the way we were being treated. But we come here tonight to be saved from that patience that makes us patient with anything less than freedom and justice.
Introduced to the country a fresh voice, a skillful rhetoric, an inspiring personality and in time a dynamic new doctrine of civil struggle
THESIS
Martin Luther King Jnr can be considered one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. His role in the movement created a legacy that is still being enacted and drawn upon in today's society. However, despite his leadership skills and importance in the movement, other activists and leaders such as Malcom X can also be considered to be as influential given their focus on a different group of black Americans to that King focussed on
HISTORIOGRAPHY
Max Felker-Kantor
Argues that MLK's legacy has extended into today's society and his vision for racial and social equality can still be reflected in the BLM movement today
"His longer legacy is of fighting against racism, capitalism, and militarism in American life and especially around policing – making sure it is not an institution that reinforces racial inequality."
Clayborne Carson
Argues that although MLK was a highly influential leader during the CRM, the movement would have still occurred without him, despite his leadership and oratory skills
"I believe that people like Rosa Parks made it possible for King to display his singular leadership qualities. The movement would have happened even without King. Without the movement, King would have been an articulate, activist Baptist minister with no holiday named after him."
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
28 August 1963 more than 200,000 demonstrators took part in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in the nations capital
March was successful in pressuring the administration of JFK to initiate a strong federal civil rights bill in Congress
During this event, MLK delivered his "I have a dream speech"
Assassination
After passing of CRA, MLK continued his non-violent campaign of direct action to secure civil rights
He spoke out about the extent of inequality in American society and the lack of opportunities for all poor people, black or white
He also became an outspoken critic of the VW pointing out the US spent half a million dollars to kill an enemy soldier in Vietnam but only $35 to help a poor American
On the 3rd of April 1968, King gave a speech in Memphis Tennessee, in support of black rubbish collectors who were demanding equal treatment to white workers
The next day, on April 4, he was shot dead by a lone white racist
Influence of other Civil Rights Leaders
Malcom X
Judgements of Malcom X have varied enormously
Even among mainstream civil rights leaders there were contrasting views
Moved towards a more radical approach of activism
Even when the CRA was passed, he claimed it made no practical difference, especially to blacks in ghettos
He was probably right, most urban blacks were still trapped by poor housing, poor schools and high unemployment
Advocated for voter registration drives and the election of black candidates for public office, like the mainstream civil rights leaders
Wanted to focus on urban blacks setting up all-black community schools and rifle clubs for defence
John Lewis commented after his assassination that Malcom, "more than any single personality" was able to "articulate the aspirations, bitterness, and frustrations of the Negro people"
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
Founded and lead the SCLC from its beginnings
Gave MLK a base of operation throughout the South, as well as a national platform from which to speak
King lectured in all parts of the country and discussed race-related issues with religious and civil rights leaders at home and abroad
Encouraged non-violent protest as he believed that it was the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom
King quickly caught the attention of the media, particularly of the producers of television
He understood the power of television to nationalise and internationalise the struggle for civil rights and his well-publicised tactics of active violence
Extent of MLK's influence
MLK was influential because of his ability to create a sense of unity amongst civil rights activists
Was able to reach a wide range of people both at a legislative level and a grass roots level
Oratory skills were able to push the non-violent motion and were able to create a sense of hope and pride among the black community
Influence can be seen in the way his legacy continued after his death and how his efforts in the civil rights movement continued to be honoured after his death
1977, almost 10 years after his death, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award a civilian American can earn.
In the 1980s, his birthday became a national holiday, creating an annual opportunity for Americans to reflect on the two values he dedicated his life to advancing: equality and nonviolence.