The early 1900’s were a confusing time for society. Slavery had been abolished, the depression was on the rise, and religious and political beliefs were being questioned. Martin Luther King Jr writes in his Autobiography that he was born in the later years of this segregation and from an early age questioned why and how culture could develop and exist in this fashion. His religious upbringing taught him about love and how men are created equal, yet confused him further about the existence of racial segregation. As he studied and grew older, he began to organize protests against unfair treatment of his fellow man, creating large social movements throughout many cities. Through his peaceful protests, many cities began removing unjust laws dividing
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His experience of Christianity pushed him to the writer Walter Rauschenbusch, but felt that his idea of “inevitable progress” accomplished the opposite and let the believed religion die. King found that Rauschenbusch’s religious belief was based upon a certain societal or economic system that should never apply to a religious entity (Autobiography 18). Trying to understand communism, King read the works of Karl Marx. He found that communism put too much weight in the materialistic growth of society and removed individual freedom of thought and choice (Autobiography 20). Extending from this, King also explored capitalism and its beliefs. He found that the capitalist drive ensures that man “to be more concerned about making a living than making a life” (Autobiography 21). The defining point of King’s ideological discoveries came from a speech given by the President of Howard University, Moredcai Johnson. Johnson spoke of Mahatma Ghandi and his belief in “Satyagraha” or “love force” (Autobiography 23). King’s previous mindset of love and religion dictated that love could only be felt between individuals and their relationships. Ghandi showed him that this love can be shown to the world and used to overcome prejudice and hate (Autobiography 23). Enlightened by the speech, King further explored Ghandi’s teachings and discovered that “true pacifism is not nonresistance to evil, but nonviolent resistance to evil” (Autobiography 26). He began to understand that the only way to combat the evil that was occurring, would be to protest in a way that could not be
His experience of Christianity pushed him to the writer Walter Rauschenbusch, but felt that his idea of “inevitable progress” accomplished the opposite and let the believed religion die. King found that Rauschenbusch’s religious belief was based upon a certain societal or economic system that should never apply to a religious entity (Autobiography 18). Trying to understand communism, King read the works of Karl Marx. He found that communism put too much weight in the materialistic growth of society and removed individual freedom of thought and choice (Autobiography 20). Extending from this, King also explored capitalism and its beliefs. He found that the capitalist drive ensures that man “to be more concerned about making a living than making a life” (Autobiography 21). The defining point of King’s ideological discoveries came from a speech given by the President of Howard University, Moredcai Johnson. Johnson spoke of Mahatma Ghandi and his belief in “Satyagraha” or “love force” (Autobiography 23). King’s previous mindset of love and religion dictated that love could only be felt between individuals and their relationships. Ghandi showed him that this love can be shown to the world and used to overcome prejudice and hate (Autobiography 23). Enlightened by the speech, King further explored Ghandi’s teachings and discovered that “true pacifism is not nonresistance to evil, but nonviolent resistance to evil” (Autobiography 26). He began to understand that the only way to combat the evil that was occurring, would be to protest in a way that could not be