Martin Luther King

A man With the Vision

By
Muhammad Osama
Id # 10276

Presented to

Sir Abdul Mujeeb Farooqi

 Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

A man who change American history the one who fought for the rights for equality and

justice for black or colored people is no other then Martin Luther King Jr. There are

reasons to believe that he is one of most successful and influential leader of all time that

effected positive change.

Childhood and Education (1929-1951)

Martin Luther King, Jr., was born on, January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. His birth

name was Michael Luther King.Jr listed in his birth certificate but later it was change to

Martin by his father in 1935 influenced by German reformer and leader of the Protestant

Reformation Martin Luther. His grandfather and father was both pastor at Ebenezer

Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Martin Luther King was doer since his childhood. He was just only 15 when he was

graduated from high school, having skipped from 9th to 12th grade. He graduated with

degree in Sociology in 1948 from Morehouse College followed by Bachelors of Divinity

in 1951 and later PhD from Boston College in 1955.

Married Life

It was in Boston College where he Met Coretta and Married her in 1955. They had four

children (Yolanda Denise, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott, and Bernice Albertine).

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 Kings Struggle

Every leader has to face struggles to fulfill their motives only successful leader has

ability to overcome the struggle same has been the case with Martin Luther King Since

he was young he observed and see the inequality, Injustice and racial tension which

was at its peak in America during his time .Segregation Between Black people and

White people their Buses, Schools, Neighborhood and water fountain were segregated.

In 1954 Kings become co-pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist church in Montgomery. While

he was serving as the Pastor of the church, 42-year-old Rosa Parks was arrested for

refusing to give her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white man; On December 5, 1955, a

group of African Americans gathered to discuss the situation, which started the

Montgomery Bus Boycott that continue for 381 days. They chose Martin Luther King, Jr.

as the protest’s leader and official spokesman. That is time where Martin Luther King

gains the popularity King was heavily influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and the activist

Bayard Rustin had entered the national spotlight as an inspirational proponent of

organized, nonviolent resistance

By the time the Supreme Court ruled segregated seating on public buses

unconstitutional in November 1956 this led with significant resistance and even violence

by white supremacists. His house was bombed and including assault 4 times; Kings

was also arrested and jailed 20 times during his social activist moment

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 Strength

The power of persuasion and moving people is the core strength of King. He is great

influential speaker and writer he admires and move people thorough his communication

weather it was a speech or letter he did this my using powerful and passionate

expression in his communication which helps him to people follow his vision, dreams

and word of inspiration through his speeches he made it easier for the public to accept

change, and was how he motivated others to follow him. Beside his speeches King had

relationship orientated attitude and behavior that also inspired people.

He belongs to religious Christian family his father and grandfather both were the pastor

of the church follows by their footsteps Kings was also serve as a pastor of the church

being religious is also one of the factor that people listen to his voice.

Martin Luther King a leader with a Vision

All leaders have some vision. The Vision of Martin Luther king was to eliminate racial

discrimination. He fights for the rights of black people he wants that black people should

treated equally as white people is treated

Martin Luther King Jr. Vision "We cannot be satisfied until we gain lodging in the motels of

highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negroes basic

mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in

Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote."

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Aside from a fight for racial equality, was the idea of non-violence inspired by Gandhi,

he refused to use violent actions in any of his protests, and taught his followers to do

the same. Because of this non violence attitude not only black people but also white

people become the follower of Martin Luther King.

Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Style

As a transformational leader.

Martin Luther King was transformational leader. A transformational leader must have a

clear vision, courage, self motivation, inspiration and follow through. First King creates

the vision with the view of future that excites and motivates the people and adapts them

to potential followers. He stuck firmly in what he believes and most importantly his

courage to stand up against the segregation policies of his day makes him a

transformational leader. He is optimistic and with his non violence attitude he always

encourages people to work together instead of division.

As an Exemplary leader

Martin Luther King also had the characteristics of exemplary leader. An exemplary

leader must have qualities like modeling the way, inspired the shared vision, ability to

challenge the process, enables others to act and encourages the heart of people.

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Martin Luther king has strong family background. At early stages Martin Luther King

was inspired by his Father and Grandfather both are graduated from the college and

both are the Baptist of the church by following their footsteps benefit the Martin Luther

King personal development. He was sure to be on righteous path. Besides this Kings

personal achievement also set an example to people to follow him. He was the

youngest to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. To model himself as even better role

model he donated his prize money worth $54,123 to help with the civil rights movement.

He also named by Time Magazine “ Man Of the Year”

Inspiring a Shared Vision

Inspiring the shared vision consist has two basic aspects

 Define your vision of future

 Work together towards a shared vision

Martin Luther king vision was social justice, equality and integration among races. To

enlist others in his vision he founded SCLC in 1957 to drive the civil rights change. In

August 1963 He has delivered one of his famous speeches “I have a dream” in front of

200,000 – 250,000 protesters in Washington protesting for Jobs and freedom

Inspiring a Shared Vision “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the

true meaning of its creed, we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”

Enabling others to act

Leader doesn’t create followers they create more leaders.

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 According to Martin Luther King “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve”

He always listen the advice of others King had relationship orientated attitudes and

behaviors, and was very good at organizing and aligning individual. He always

encourages and show his support to emergent leaders that is why his vision is not died

with his death his vision is still alive

A dream come True

A dream of Martin Luther King, The bill for providing equal employment opportunities

and eliminating racial discrimination was under discussion when the president Kennedy

was assassinated however it was taken up by president Lyndon Johnson and it became

law in 1964 that employers have to provide equal employment opportunities and racial

segregation is become illegal. This is one of the famous historic days in history of

America.

Martin Luther King Assassination

On April 04, 1968 King was shot dead his funeral was held 5 days later, A crowd of

70,000 attended his funeral. During King’s funeral a tape recording was played in which

King spoke of how he wanted to be remembered after his death: “I’d like somebody to

mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others” (King, “Drum

Major Instinct,” 85).

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Finally

Martin Luther King was a great leader with his superior leader ship abilities he brought

people together and gives the new direction to the people of America and brings the

positive change in America he is created a vision that is still alive and he is still

remembered in the heart of people

Famous Quotes and Speeches of Martin Luther King

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only

love can do that.”

“The time is always right to do what is right”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”

“I Have a Dream” – Washington, D.C., April 28, 1963

“Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence” – Riverside Church in New York City, April

4, 1967.

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References

https://thecaribbeancurrent.com/dr-martin-luther-king-a-vision-that-changed-the-world/

http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/biography-martin-luther-king-jr/85774.aspx

The Autobiography Of Martin Luther King, Jr. Book by Martin Luther King Jr

https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/martin-luther-king-jr

https://www.ducksters.com/biography/martin_luther_king_jr.php