Martin Luther King Jr.

Born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia, Martin Luther King Jr. experienced discrimination against the black community first hand. As time passed, this hatred led him to the point where he took action and became one of many fighting in the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, King was one of the most influential and impactful public speakers of the movement. He preached that the color of your skin does not define who you are as a person and should not have a say in how you are treated. On top of this, King believed in peaceful protests, despite aggression being used against him and those fighting with him. King’s message was widespread and changed standards for black people as a whole. 

King’s well known speech, “I Have A Dream,” was a key factor in changing society. This speech was heard all over the world and influenced many people. His speech, along with many other protest, speeches, and gatherings, help enact the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 

Before his death on April 4, 1968, King had a wife Coretta Scott King and four children: Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, Yolanda King, and Dexter King. His sermons on equality and efforts in creating a world where all are equal will not go forgotten. King changed the world for the better, and left behind a legacy for many to discover and be educated on. Watch King’s story in the Academy Award winning film Selma.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”