Admiration in Resistance, Research Paper Example

The term martyr, while commonly used to describe a person of strong religious affiliation who is persecuted and killed for their theological ideologies, can be applied to anyone who is willing to risk every aspect of their lives to pursue and protect their beliefs. Martin Luther King Jr. was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. His perseverance and dedication to racial equality ignited fear and hatred in the resistors of the movement. Born in the south, Dr. King was submitted to the abhorrence of bigots from birth. His life in Georgia and personal experiences with inequality pushed him to abandon all fear in the name of justice (King). King chose the path of nonviolence; surrendering his body to physical harm, because of his religious and moral holdings (Ansbro). King’s family was also threatened, but he was steadfast in his beliefs and acted as one of the strongest catalysts for the Civil Rights Movement (“About Dr. King”). Through his dedication to equality and refusal to abandon his convictions even in the face of physical harm and death, King asserted himself as a martyr not to be pitied, but to be admired for his ability to shape history.

Family life and adolescence experiences are essential in shaping one’s character. Martin Luther King was raised in a strict, but structured family; dedicated to honor and religion. His father, Michael King, was strong and proud; he was known to beat King in an attempt to mold his character and make him both a respectable citizen, but also an individual demanding of respect. Michael King was known to defy white policemen, and refused to accept lesser treatment than whites. When patronized, Michael King would become extremely angry at the injustices inflicted on his race (“About Dr. King”). This is perhaps where King got his zeal for justice and his hatred for racial discrimination. From a young age, religion was an essential part of King’s life. He sang in a choir and used song to grow closer to God. His family encouraged him having an active relationship with God and using biblical stories as the basis for his moral convictions (King). Later in life, King would decide to dedicate his life to spreading The Word; choosing to become a Baptist minister, but only after pursing a proper education. King’s family wholly supported his strive for higher education, and King received his PhD in Theology from Boston University in 1955 (“About Dr. King”). In his pursuit of knowledge, Dr. King advanced his understanding of theology and added to his ability to speak publicly and persuasively; a skill that would later aid in his aptitude to lead protests. This concrete Christian background gave King his affinity for nonviolent protest tactics. Through his faith he was able to stay calm in order to accurately spread his message during protest, and avoid more people getting hurt than absolutely necessary (Ansbro). One the most popular protests he took part in was the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 195,5 which threatened the success of the public transportation system to draw attention to the inequality promoted by bus drivers and white passengers that insisted that African American riders cede their seats to white passengers or move to the back of the bus (“About Dr. King”). Dr. King’s active involvement in many communities, as well as his compelling talent for public speaking, allowed him to gain a measure of respect from the general public, and therefore gave the Civil Rights Movement the shove it needed to stumble into the public eye.

Dr. King’s dedication to rail against the injustices of the racially tense South and refusal to hide from the public eye for his own safety gained him the recognition as one of the most monumental martyr figures in the 20^th Century. Dr. King, motivated by his strong religious affiliations, refused to encourage violence amongst his protestors. Instead, he trained protesters to resist police brutality and to look out for one another (“Martin Luther King Jr.-Biography”). This refusal to fight violence with violence took away some of the police force’s justification for utilizing physical aggression against the black American protestors. Dr. King refused to play into the role of angry, uncontrollable protestors, choosing instead to stand strong and as calm as possible with his fellow protestors in the fight for justice (Ansbro). The South in the Civil Rights Era was a treacherous place to be for African Americans. The blatant racism, segregation, and physical violence experienced by black Americans threatened many into quiet submission. Dr. King, however, refused to be swayed by the horrible violence and hatred he observed; instead allowing these transgressions to fuel his fire for justice (King). Dr. King used his education and ability to speak intelligently to command attention (“About Dr. King”). With these skills he co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which encouraged religious leaders to spread nonviolent techniques for resistance. Dr. King was not only dedicated to speaking out against the persecution of black Americans; he was determined to do so in a way that did not violate his religious and moral beliefs (Ansbro).

Dr. King has become one of the most pivotal figures of the Civil Rights Movement. His calm demeanor, yet commanding personality allowed him to assist in raising public awareness for his cause and forced a societal change into motion. Dr. King is seen as a martyr for those who still suffer under racial and other injustices today. He is a key example of how stepping down and turning away from justice out of fear and selfishness is never the answer (“About Dr. King”). He delved into the issues that troubled him and plagued his people, and for that he lost his life. Protestors around the globe can appreciate King’s devotion to his cause. He is widely regarded as one of the key components to lowering racial injustices and raising awareness to the societal issues that plagued the United States. Those who disagree with the actions of the police force and the mentality of society today revere King as an icon of peaceful noncompliance (Ansbro). Martin Luther King was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his work on the nonviolent protest movement (“Martin Luther King Jr.-Biography”). Dr. King proved that violence is unnecessary for making a difference and promoting equality in society, and for this he has been widely recognized by marginalized people, protestors, and important organizations around the globe.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a household name for most Americans, and many around the world. His perseverance and dedication to peaceful resistance set a precedence for resisting in a way that encourages change without promoting physical violence as a viable means to achieve a goal. Dr. King’s actions alone to not solidify his status as a martyr, and neither does the fact that he was killed for his beliefs. Dr. King is a martyr because of his absolute refusal to give up on his goals and his adamancy to accomplish these things the right way; without letting any of his religious or moral ideologies be forgotten. Dr. King is a martyr because of the example he set of strict dedication to justice and equality, and his reverence for his values that guided his techniques.

Works Cited

“About Dr. King.” The King Center. N.p., 2014. Web. <http://www.thekingcenter.org/about-dr-king>.

Ansbro, John J. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Nonviolent Strategies and Tactics for Social Change. Lanham, MD: Madison, 2000. Print.

King, Martin Luther. Autobiography of Martin Luther King. Ed. Clayborne Carson. London: Abacus, 2000. Print.

“Martin Luther King Jr.-Biography.” Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media, 2014. Web. <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html>.