I went to Washington DC a couple of years ago and one of the most memorable experiences I had was visiting the Lincoln Memorial in front of which Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I have a dream” speech on August 28, 1963. An American baptist pastor and activist, Luther King became the most visible spokesperson and leader of the civil rights movement from 1954 until he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Today, right on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial there’s a plaque dedicated to him, commemorating his famous speech for Jobs and Freedom. (A plaque that I, and many others, have taken pictures with, which means that I had to lay on the ground in the middle of a tourist-filled place and try not to get stepped on.)
Born in Atlanta, Giorgia …show more content…
These techniques as well as more boycotting and activist efforts gained him national notoriety, until he became the mayor leader and spokesperson of the African-American community. In the summer of 1963, he organised a historic march and demonstration on Washington DC that drew more than 200,000 people and ended in the Lincoln memorial with his “I have a dream” speech. Him and the other activists were finally able to have an effect in public opinion, and the Civil Rights Act was passed on 1964, which meant the end of segregation. This led to him receiving a Noble Peace Prize that same year. Then next year, he was part of the Selma marches that resulted in the Voting Rights Act. But his peaceful methods were starting to met hard criticism for being “too weak” and by 1968, he was beginning to feel tired and discouraged.
Finally, a day after another speech in Memphis, he was struck dead by a sniper’s bullet on April 4 1968. The killer, former convict named James Earl Ray, was caught two months later and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Martin Luther King’s death sparked riots and manifestation throughout the whole country and just days after it, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of …show more content…
Today he is the widely known, honoured with a national holiday and has various schools and public buildings named after him. I truly believe he helped shape America for the better and truly deserves a space dedicated to him in the forum. He was deeply committed in achieving his goals in a peaceful, non-violent way and not matter the controversies surrounding him, it is undeniable how much of a hero he is for many people alive today and at the time of his work. Taking a picture with the plaque was yes, a very touristy thing to do, but it was also a moment that made me remember his fight and the fight that multiple people lived and are living through. Martin Luther King’s life was important, the civil rights movement was and is still important, as America’s fight against racism is not over yet. His speech, the civil rights acts he helped pass and the plaque are all important and crucial for many people living in America today, and if doing a dumb touristy thing like laying down on the ground and taking a picture helps people remember that, then by all means, go on doing just
Born in Atlanta, Giorgia …show more content…
These techniques as well as more boycotting and activist efforts gained him national notoriety, until he became the mayor leader and spokesperson of the African-American community. In the summer of 1963, he organised a historic march and demonstration on Washington DC that drew more than 200,000 people and ended in the Lincoln memorial with his “I have a dream” speech. Him and the other activists were finally able to have an effect in public opinion, and the Civil Rights Act was passed on 1964, which meant the end of segregation. This led to him receiving a Noble Peace Prize that same year. Then next year, he was part of the Selma marches that resulted in the Voting Rights Act. But his peaceful methods were starting to met hard criticism for being “too weak” and by 1968, he was beginning to feel tired and discouraged.
Finally, a day after another speech in Memphis, he was struck dead by a sniper’s bullet on April 4 1968. The killer, former convict named James Earl Ray, was caught two months later and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Martin Luther King’s death sparked riots and manifestation throughout the whole country and just days after it, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of …show more content…
Today he is the widely known, honoured with a national holiday and has various schools and public buildings named after him. I truly believe he helped shape America for the better and truly deserves a space dedicated to him in the forum. He was deeply committed in achieving his goals in a peaceful, non-violent way and not matter the controversies surrounding him, it is undeniable how much of a hero he is for many people alive today and at the time of his work. Taking a picture with the plaque was yes, a very touristy thing to do, but it was also a moment that made me remember his fight and the fight that multiple people lived and are living through. Martin Luther King’s life was important, the civil rights movement was and is still important, as America’s fight against racism is not over yet. His speech, the civil rights acts he helped pass and the plaque are all important and crucial for many people living in America today, and if doing a dumb touristy thing like laying down on the ground and taking a picture helps people remember that, then by all means, go on doing just