MLK JR.

Martin Luther King was a firm believer in equality and equal opportunities for everyone. King watched and realized what was wrong with our country and knew he couldn’t just sit back and observe anymore. He knew without at least attempting to make a change, everything would get worse. King gathered his ideas and ways of thinking from many influential people in his life. He read many writings of Niebuhr, Gandhi, and other intellectuals. Niebuhr’s writings stood out to him very much, especially his thoughts on humankind’s potential for collective evil. King also graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary as a brilliant thinker and scholar. He also learned the practice of ministry and a specific preaching style that he put to good use. King was always known as a brilliant and motivational speaker. He used speaking techniques that really opened the minds of the listeners. He used one of Gandhi’s primary teachings. Butler says, “One of the main tenets of Dr. King’s social philosophy was the conviction that nonviolent resistance was one of the most potent weapons available to oppressed people in their quest for social justice.” People saw King as an influential leader. After he returned to the south, he noticed that there were improvements being made. Butler adds the point that “He immediately encouraged his members to join the NAACP.” Throughout his leadership role, he accomplished many things that played a massive role in the history of the United States of America. Our country could be very different if Martin Luther King JR. did not rise to make changes when needed.