Martin Luther King, Jr. Biography

Americans Who Tell the Truth
Martin Luther King, Jr.
	Martin Luther King, Jr. Biography Clergyman, Civil Rights Leader 1929-1968 “Non-violence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it.” Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister. He completed his formal education with degrees from Morehouse College, Crozier Theological Seminary and Boston University (Ph. D. in Systematic Theology, 1955). While serving as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, he led the boycott which resulted in the desegregation of that city’s bus system. His resolve in the face of threats to his safety as well as that of his family, his conviction that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and his ability to write and speak with extraordinary power and clarity brought him to national prominence as a leader of the movement to achieve racial justice in America. He studied the writings and example of Mohandas K. Gandhi in India who powerfully influenced his philosophy of non-violence. When he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, King said: “Non-violence is not sterile passivity, but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation.” Like Gandhi, King also understood the strategic value of non-violence “We have neither the techniques nor the numbers to win a violent campaign.” His commitment to non-violence led him to oppose the American war in Viet Nam. Like Henry David Thoreau, Dr. King believed in the necessity of resisting unjust laws with civil disobedience. As a leader of many demonstrations in support of the rights of African-Americans, he was subject to frequent arrest and imprisonment. His Letters from a Birmingham Jail (1963) was a call to conscience directed primarily at American religious leaders. When a fellow civil rights worker was killed after the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, King said: “If physical death is the price that some must pay to save us and our white brothers from eternal death of the spirit then no sacrifice could be more redemptive.” Martin Luther King’s own redemptive sacrifice was exacted by an assassin’s bullets on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.	Next Portrait Previous Portrait There are so many resources for teachers about Dr. King, we will not post all those here. We think Zinn Education Project lists the very best of the best ones here: http://zinnedproject.org/posts/tag/martinlutherking This song was recorded by Nina Simone and sung three days after his death. Listening to this will help students get in touch with the trauma and devestation surrounding his death. The lyrics are readily available online. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh6R0BRzjW4&feature=fvwrel It might also be helpful for students to listen to truth teller Robert F. Kennedy's speech on the night of his death in connection with the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E3-_z5YP0M&feature=fvwrel Americans Who Tell the Truth tells Dr. King's story as one of many ,many stories that exist over the decades long work he did for social justice. We share other portraits from the series both before and after his lifetime to emphasize that , though he was a giant of a human being, he did not work alone. The following portraits can be considered when thinking of Dr. King's biography: HD Thoreau- the role of civil disobedience can be studied in light of how King and Thoreau used it. Terry Tempest Williams and Tim De Christopher's portrait pages include excellent pieces on the role of civil disobedience in our times. Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln- What were the similarities and differences in Dr. King's relationship with United States presidents? This makes an excellent discussion and research project in the classroom. W.E.B. Dubois- how did the establishment of the NAACP influence Dr. King's work? Barbara Johns- how did the issues around equal education connect to Dr. King? Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks - what was different about these two young women and their acts, so similar?What made it possible for Rosa Parks to gain support and how did Dr. King involve himself with her? Why was he not involved in Claudette Colvin's story and how was her activity different? Kim and Reggie Harris'-their own biographies and more important, their songs can be used in any study of Dr. King. Emma Tenayuca- studying her work with pecan workers and fair labor practices in connection with Dr. King's speech before he died in Memphis- students can draw comparisons between these efforts and outcomes- both endangered themselves without regard for personal safety. Emma Tenayuca's portrait quote sums that up well. Muhammad Ali's biography can be used in light of the Vietnam War. It's too little known and understood that Dr King protested and condemned the growth of the military and in particular, was outspoken about the Vietnam war. Ali's relationship to the war can be shared and research into each man's connection to it can be a rich study for students. Many will gravitate to Ali for his boxing fame but this can be an emotional hook that allows them to engage in his deep and considered political activity. His quote reflects that in a study of his portrait. John Lewis- was inspired as a young person to go work in the realm of civil rights by Dr. King- and eventually worked with him, stood by him on many an occasion. A study of Congressman Lewis's involvement in the Freedom Rides raises the question of Dr. King's relationship to those. Ella Baker- Use this woman's biography and work to address the question of the role women played in the civil rights movement and the question of the role they did NOT play. James Baldwin- Use this biography to have students research the relationship of gay individuals to the civil rights movement at that time. James Baldwin's page on this site has a fascinating round table conversation about civil rights. Malcolm X- have students research and compare the lives of these two icons of African American history. This video offers statements from both men that could be used to help students consider the times and the two men. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4PqLKWuwyU&feature=related Grace Lee Boggs- read what Grace Lee writes about Dr King in 2012- a good discussion starter for the classroom. Another relationship to Dr King that can be a rich study. http://boggscenter.org/2012/01/celebrating-dr-king’s-birthday-in-2012-by-grace-lee-boggs/ If possible , have students read from Grace's new book, The Next American Revolution. They will find many things in the book that can be compared to and shared regarding Dr. King's strategies and the strategies Grace sees we need now. There are no doubt many other connections that can be made among the portraits. Encourage students to do so and explore.This will expand how they see Dr King and hopefully de-romanticize his legacy. Finally, it is important that students , as they are old enough to do so, study Dr King's writings and speeches IN THEIR ENTIRETY rather than in the sound bites we are all familiar with today. His lesser known speeches are also important to include as students begin to understand his campaign for the poor and his disdain for the waste of the military and in particular ,his condemnation of the Vietnam War. And hearing the complete text of the I Have A Dream" speech is a powerful experience all our students deserve to have.

Americans Who Tell the Truth