Abstract This paper compares the philosophies of MartinLutherKing, Jr. and Malcolm X as civil rights activists. It looks at the differences in their methods, King's belief in civil disobedience and nonviolence and Malcolm X's belief in the use of aggressive action violence. It also looks at the committment of both to social change and considers the challenges that current civil rights leaders face.
Tags: Malcolm X, MartinLutherKingJr., civil disobedience, Nation of Islam, non-violence, civil rights
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes MartinLutherKing's famous "I Have a Dream" speech as presented in Mary Louise Pratt's essay "Arts of the Contact Zone." The paper gives a brief description of King's life and the impact his speech had on the civil rights movement. The reviewer defines Pratt's term "autoethnographic text" which was used in the essay to describe the speech. The paper then outlines and analyzes King's speech, using quotations. The paper concludes by stating that King felt black and white Americans had far more commonalities than differences.
From the Paper "Martin Luther King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963, during a massive march calling for black civil rights. King was a Baptist minister who worked tirelessly for civil rights until his assassination in 1968. King's speech helped mobilize the black community to work for civil rights and helped show the white community just what blacks faced in terms of segregation, bigotry, and prejudice. It also is an excellent example of the art of the contact zone - specifically how different groups can view the same experience with very different eyes."
Tags:Martin, Luther, King, Mary, Louise, Pratt, I, Have, a, Dream, Arts, of, the, Contact, Zone
Abstract This study examines the nature of civil disobedience within the religious anti-racism platform of Civil Rights activist MartinLutherKingJr. This paper compares the work of MartinLutherKing to the secular doctrines of civil disobedience in the writings of Henry David Thoreau, a secular society application of non-violence that need not be separated from religion. King was a highly religious man, and he used religion to inspire strength in his community by adhering to Biblical principles.
Abstract This paper examines how both MartinLutherKingJr. and Malcolm X used their writings and speeches to counteract and negate white racism. The author points out that the main difference between the ideologies of two Civil Rights activist is the polarity of violent and non violent. The paper relates that King did not see violence as a sensible means to change average white Americans to supporting black equality in government and social status.
From the Paper "This race study examines the contrary opinions about fighting racism that existed between Martin Luther King Jr. and another race activist in the Civil Rights era, Malcolm X. The use of violence to win the freedom of black people in America is presented in Malcolm X's speech "Message to the Grass Roots". Contrary to this message of violence toward white authority, Martin Luther King sought non-violent methods of activism to help change white America's negative opinions on the black race. In this manner, both King and Malcolm X offer two polarized opinions about violence and non-violence that existed within the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The message of violent action against white racist society is clearly portended in the speech "Message to the Grassroots". "
Abstract The paper discusses how in his "Letter From Birmingham Jail" MartinLutherKing, Jr. responded to the clergy of Birmingham that called for his ending the marches and demonstrations that were taking place in a city that was considered by King and his fellow civil rights activists to be the most segregated city in the United States. The paper explains that the clergy had published a letter specifying that the demonstrations were creating an upheaval within the social order of Birmingham that was damaging to the future of the Black population, because the clergy wanted to peacefully negotiate with the hierarchy of the city for civil rights.
An analysis of Plato, Henry David Thoreau and MartinLutherKing's differing views on government and the applicability of these thoughts to the Iraq war.
Abstract This paper claims that Plato, MartinLutherKing and Henry David Thoreau each had widely differing ideals relating to the government, its necessity and the responsibility of citizens towards this government. The paper explains that these views were all closely related to each philosopher's personal ideals regarding how best to live their lives with the greatest of integrity. Each philosophy is examined for its applicability to the issue of the war in Iraq and the responsibility of citizens to take action.
From the Paper "Plato's work focuses on the philosopher Socrates, who has been condemned to death for "corrupting the youth" of Athens. Crito attempts to encourage his escape, but Aristotle refuses, on the grounds of his own personal set of ethics. For Socrates, ethics and values are closely related to one's reverence for the government. This stems from a specific paradigm of the time, that citizens are not on equal terms with the government. The government knows best and should not be questioned. Socrates uses the parent-child analogy to explain this view. The government is a parent body to the citizens of Athens. The only protest that can acceptably be made is leaving Athens."
This paper analyzes MartinLuther's role in Western Civilization, comparing his achievements with other influential historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Jesus, Muhammad and Magellan.
Abstract This paper looks at five significant historical figures (Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Jesus, Muhammad, and Magellan) and compares their accomplishments and influence to those of MartinLuther. The paper's thesis question is: Was MartinLuther a bad ass? This question is answered on a historical basis as his actions and achievements are categorized and compared with the five individuals listed above. It also looks at Luther's achievement in 21st Century frame of mind. It focuses on his last influence in all aspects of modern life.
From the Paper "Carter Lindberg states in his book The European Reformations, ?An initial move to control the complicated and multifaceted reality of the Reformation is to define the terms used for it and the era it covers.? In order to secure Luther in the annuals of history as a "bad ass", one must not only clarify the characteristics of that title, but also view his accomplishments in a 21st Century frame of reference. First, it should be determined which historical figures might fall into the category of being labeled a ?bad ass.? At this point, the common characteristics of a historical "bad ass" will become evident. Second, after determining these characteristics, they then must be applied to Luther and the result will be forthcoming."
Tags: civilization, luther, martin, reformation, western
Abstract This paper takes a deep look at the true intentions of MartinLuther and his resistance against the Catholic Church by examining the historical context in which he acted and by taking a closer look at the man himself, thereby showing that Luther was a deeply religious man trying to maintain core religious values in the face of great social pressure.
From the Paper "The European world of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century was one ensconced in the assumption of Christian values and, moreover, the authority of the Catholic Church. Likewise, it was a world of great injustice, misappropriation of power and perversion of morality. Such was most apparently epitomized by the vast disparity between classes of suffocating poverty and ever-growing wealth. And the necessary correlation between wealth and power was quite explicit in a Church that, to many ways of thinking, was a fat and corrupt entity whose most driving priority had become the exploitation of the weak. Martin Luther was born into this world in 1483, and not of a particular familial disposition to protest the circumstances. In fact, his father had managed to accrue some degree of financial comfort that assured his son the life of an educated man. Rather, his outrage at social conditions manifested itself through his religious observation. Above all, it bears noting, upon his adoption of the holy cloth in 1505, that Luther was a man of God. This was the only law that he saw fit to recognize. So his divergence from the conventions of the Catholic Church was, as he would be quick to assert himself, an act guided by compliance rather than defiance. But his ideology would spark massive reexamination and change, suggesting that it was certainly resistant to many of the prevailing forces of the time and place. Perhaps there may be no genuine reconciliation of these two ostensibly contradictory roles, both of which, one could argue, Luther embodied. However, a more direct study of Luther's motivations and tenets seems to suggest that he was, in both intent and aesthetic, a conservative who, by way of social circumstances, came to be regarded as a revolutionary."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the life and times of MartinLuther that led to a reform movement being swept across the world. It examines Luther's relationship with the Pope and Catholicism which eventually lead to the split.
From the Paper "It has seldom happened that the story of one man was essentially the history of a great movement in human progress. Martin Luther was often referred to as the monk whose words were "half-battles", was superior among the reformers, and in general stands for the Reformation itself. But recognition of Luther's dominating position and representation should not make us ignore the other factors in the religious revolution, which was the achievement not of one man, but of advancing generations with many leaders."
Abstract In this article, the writer studies MartinLuther's reasons for breaking with the Church of Rome. The writer examines Luther's self-questioning of his own fitness for salvation. In this paper, the writer discusses Luther's criticisms of the political and financial corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. The writer also looks at the Protestant Reformation.
From the Paper "There are two conventional views of history. One view sees great men and women as the agents of historical changes, the other view of history is that events shape the circumstances in which the major players emerge. Both of course, have their validity and in fact we need to use both points of view to understand an event as important as the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther broke away from the Roman Catholic Church gradually in a series of events and decisions that he ... "
Abstract This paper discusses how MartinLutherKingJr. and Malcolm X both fought for the cause of civil rights, defended the same color of people, combated the same problem of racism, and paid for this resistance to black oppression with their lives, and yet held two completely different plans to bring an end to racial discrimination. The paper relates that their conflicting values in this regard are made apparent in MartinLutherKingJr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and Malcolm X's "Message to the Grass Roots" and that these values lead to two completely different ideas about how to end racial discrimination. Through a comparison of the content of these two works, it attempts to show that MartinLutherKingJr. shows more promise as a leader than Malcolm X through his sound reasoning, flexibility, and a classier way of classification.
From the Paper "King, however, acknowledges that society is multi-faceted (which is not surprising for one who graduated with a sociology degree); he mentions five different people groups in his letter: the white supremacists, the white moderates, the complacent Negroes, the black nationalists, and the nonviolent abolitionists. Like Malcolm X, King also brings up upper-middle class blacks in a negative light, but he describes them as "complacent," not controlling or power-hungry. King goes onto mention the other end of the Negro community spectrum, the black nationalists led by Malcolm X, and rather than taking an attacking approach of his rival, he explains that X's violent cause is the result of the people's immense frustration with racial discrimination (King 520). "I have tried to stand between these two forces saying that we need not follow the 'do-nothing-ism' of the complacent or the hatred and despair of the black nationalist." (King 520) His proposal for responding to racism is to stay in between the two extremes of the Negro community by practicing nonviolent protest - to be firm, but not belligerent."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss the different leadership styles of Dr. MartinLutherKing, Jr. Also included, is a discussion of the obstacles Dr. MartinLutherKing, Jr. faced while diagnosing civil rights issues and implementing leadership strategies in the 1960s. The researcher also examines leadership in modern organizations juxtaposed with the Dr. MartinLutherKing's leadership.
Tags: african, american, civil, non, protests, rights, violent, visionary
Abstract This paper examines the life and influences of MartinLutherKing, Jr. It looks at how as one of the world's most famous supporters of social change through non-violent means, MartinLutherKing, Jr. pulled many of his ideas from numerous cultural traditions. Born in Atlanta during a time of extreme racial unrest, he grew up in a religious family who considered the church an instrument for improving the lives of African Americans. It outlines the main events of his life from his ordination as a minister to his work to being symbol of the African-American civil rights struggle.
From the Paper "After achieving few of his objectives in Albany, Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the need to organize a successful protest campaign free of conflicts with SNCC. During the spring of 1963, he and his staff guided mass demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama, where local white police officials were known by their anti-black attitudes. Clashes between black demonstrators and police using police dogs and fire hoses generated newspaper headlines through the world. In June, President Kennedy reacted to the Birmingham protests and the obstinacy of segregationist Alabama Governor George Wallace by agreeing to submit broad civil rights legislation to Congress (which eventually passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964)."
Abstract The paper evaluates the book ? Why We Can"t Wait", by MartinLutherKingJr., written in 1963. It focuses on LutherKing's letter: "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", which is included in the book. The paper looks at LutherKing's activities, outlook and message, as gleaned from his book. It attempts to show the book as an expansion of the letter.
From the Paper "Martin Luther King Jr. was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. He wrote the book Why We Can't Wait in 1963 at a time when the movement was about to change and become more under his leadership. King made the methods of the Montgomery boycott, non-violent protest, into the hallmark of the movement. The bus Boycott was successful, and after that, King and other leaders turned their attention to other issues. He addresses this effort in this book, includes the full text of his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," analyzes his own tactics and what the movement should be doing, and sets goals to be met."
Tags: letter, Letter from a Birmingham Jail, activities, outlook, message, Civil, Rights, Movement, Montgomery, Bus, Boycott, 1955
