The Race Issue in America 1929-90
6. Martin Luther King
In 1964 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Martin Luther King, one of the most well known
leaders of the Civil Rights movement. Four years later he was dead, murdered while supporting a
strike by Memphis refuse workers. This episode looks at the impact made by Dr Martin Luther
King.
King was a Baptist minister whose involvement with the Civil Rights movement began when he
helped organize the Bus Boycott in 1955. As well as being good at organising various protest
events, King was a charismatic public speaker; his ‘I have a dream’ speech delivered at the March on
Washington in Aug 1963 is regularly listed in top ten speeches of the 20th Century. His message
was one of equality and inclusion, rather than separation, and this coupled with his insistence on
the use of non-violent protests led to support from many white Americans – 25% of the marchers
in Washington were white.
Not everyone saw MLK as a hero. He attracted criticism and violence from many white people
who saw nothing wrong with segregation, and saw the Civil Rights movement as a threat to their
way of life. At the other extreme some black people felt he didn’t go far enough, and that his belief
in non-violence was getting in the way of progress. This was particularly true of the years after
1965, as the Black Power movement grew.
Despite these criticisms, there is little doubt that MLK’s leadership and skill as a public speaker
helped the Civil Rights movement to their victory in getting the government to pass the 1964 Civil
Rights Act, and other acts that followed which offered even greater legal protection to blacks.
King was shot on April 4th 1968 while standing on the balcony of the hotel he was staying in, in
Memphis. Since his death he has continued to be viewed as a hero by many, despite accusations
that he was unfaithful to his wife. In 1983, President Regan declared the third Monday in January to
be a Public Holiday known as ‘Martin Luther King Day” following a campaign which included the
release of the song ‘Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder (January 15th was Kings birthday). By 1990
it was being observed in every state in America, although it was known as Civil Rights day in some
states. King is one of only three people to have holidays in their honor in America, the other two
being George Washington, America’s first President, and Christopher Columbus.
For your exam
As well as understanding MLK’s role in the Civil Rights movement, you should also know both
sides of the arguments about his importance to the changing fortunes of black Americans.