Martin Luther King Jr : An Influential Leader

Martin Luther King Jr. was a man whose vision impacted and changed the United States

of America for the better. King was best known for his efforts of trying to spread equality among

all people. His perspective and vision on people’s rights is what made him legendary. His

character and demeanor made him a role model to many people. Martin Luther king was an

influential leader because he brought civil disobedience, public awareness, and social change

through demonstration.

King was a civil rights activist who led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in support of Rosa

Parks. This historical event “was a political and social protest campaign against the policy of

racial segregation on the public transit system of Montgomery, Alabama” (Wikipedia 1). King

led this significant event with civil disobedience and nonviolent behavior. Dr. King preached

about a country where all people had freedom and equal rights under the Constitution of the

United States. The reason for this boycott was because, “Rosa Parks [refused] to give up her bus

seat to a white man” (King Center 1). On the day she refused to give up her seat, Parks changed

civil rights for all people in America forever. When Dr.King supported Parks, all African-

American people boycotted riding the city bus and shopping at white owned by businesses. Not

only did King advocate for civil disobedience, but he demonstrated social change too.

King demonstrated social change by marching in a non-violent protest from Selma to

Montgomery, Alabama. This march took place with “local African Americans, Student

Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

(SCLC) [who] campaigned [for their] voting rights” (MLK JR. 1). King wanted the world to

know how people were being treated, so he led this march in hope that change would occur. His
efforts and production of this march changed people’s views in a positive way on rights,

equality, and freedom. After the march took place, “President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the

Voting Rights Act which prohibits discrimination in voting practices or procedures because of

race and color” (NPS 1). Once King brought attention and put the national spotlight on the

issues, change took place. Only a person as great as Martin Luther King Jr. could have brought

on this change during these trouble times of violence, inequality, and social injustice. While

King spread social change through demonstration, that was only one of many changes that made

him the leader he was.

Martin Luther king was an influential leader because he brought civil disobedience and

social change through demonstration. King fought for African-American rights in a non-violent

way and wanted all people treated equally under the Constitution of the United States of

America. Dr.King’s perspective and morals were all based on equality for all people. His

compassionate and positive demeanor made him like no other leader. Dr. King made a

significant and positive impact on history during the 1960’s by integrating Black and White

culture together. Martin Luther King JR. will always be remembered as a leader, role model, and

a hero.
 Works Cited

"The Bus Boycott Sparks a Movement." The Bus Boycott Sparks a Movement. The King Center,

2014. Web. 13 Jan. 2016. <http://www.thekingcenter.org/bus-boycott-sparks-movement>.

"Martin Luther King I Have a Dream Speech - American Rhetoric." Martin Luther King I Have

a Dream Speech. American Rhetoric, n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2016.

<http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm>.

"Montgomery Bus Boycott." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 13 Jan.

2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgomery_Bus_Boycott>.

"Selma to Montgomery March (1965)." Selma to Montgomery March (1965). Martin Luther

King Jr. and The Global Freedom Struggle, n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2016.

<http://kingencyclopedia.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_selma_to_montgom

ery_march/>.
United States. National Park Service. "History & Culture." National Parks Service. U.S.

Department of the Interior, 13 Jan. 2016. Web. 13 Jan. 2016.

<http://www.nps.gov/semo/learn/historyculture/index.htm>.