Martin Luther King Jr.

One of my Favorite American Heroes.

An essay By Ottavio Lo Piccolo, 1-17-21

 Introduction / Beginning Paragraph - Who was he?

1.         Martin Luther King Jr. was a great American hero, a social activist, a civil rights leader, a preacher and an author, who worked hard for freedom, peace and equality for all African Americans and the poor. He believed and encouraged the non-violent method to get what we needed wanted. He was born on January 15^th, 1929, in Atlanta Georgia. He is one of my favorite American heroes because he gave his life for a great dream.  M L K dreamed that someday the USA would be true to the promises of the Constitution; that all African-Americans and poor people would be treated equally and fair, and that his children one day would be free to go to anywhere they wanted, and be judged by their actions- their character, and not by the color of their skin.

Body Paragraph 2- What did he like to do as a young boy?

2.       When M L K Jr. was a young boy he liked to play with his brother and sister- his siblings- and sometimes he played pranks or jokes with them. He also played baseball, football, and running around his neighborhood with his friends. But one day he was upset and sad because his friends told him that he could not play with them because he was black.

 Body Paragraph 3 - What was happening in the USA when he was a child? 

3.       In the 1960’s, when M L K was a young boy, blacks in the southern States were not allowed to use public places like restaurants, schools and parks that were used by whites, and/or if there were signs that said: “Whites only” – blacks could not use them. These unfair laws kept black and white people apart and made the blacks very unhappy. These southern laws were called segregation laws. These were therefore racial laws, because their intent (intention, goal) was to keep blacks separate. That is why blacks could not go to any school they wanted- they could attend only schools for blacks. They also had to sit in the back of buses, and they had to give up their seat if a white person wanted it. And when blacks went to stores to buy things, they had to go to the back. They could not use public places, like parks, offices, and often they were forbidden to vote, etc.,

Body Paragraph 4- What important things did he accomplish as a man?

4.       When M L K was a man, he organized rallies and marches to protest unjust and unfair laws. He made speeches and talked against them. But he told his followers not to use violence, or force, because violence brings only pain and destruction. M L K believed that non-violence was a better way to make the government listen and change laws. Finally, thanks to his leadership role and his efforts, the government listened to him, and it ended the legal segregation of African American citizens in the United States; with the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Now thanks to M L K Jr. blacks can vote and are free to go to any school and/or any place they want to. For his efforts and sacrifices MLK Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize (award) in 1964, among several other honors (awards, recognition). He continues to be remembered as one of the most influential and inspirational African American leaders in history.

 

Body Paragraph 5-6 What was MLK’s dream? What can we do to help his dream come true?

5.       MLK’s dream was that one day his children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, their hearts (their actions). We can help achieving (get) M L K’s dream by being non-violent, by not fighting and hurting others. If someone bullies us, or tries to fight with us, we can choose not to fight, and instead speak up and tell them to stop bothering and being mean to us. And if they insist (continue) and will not listen, we can tell someone like the police, friends, our boss, or cowoekers, teachers, family members, so that they will back off and stop. And when rules or laws are unfair, we can talk to our friends, to family members, our teachers, we can also write letters to our government leaders like the President, the State Senators, our congressmen, and the mayor of my town or city; so that they can pass fair and just laws.  We must also vote for good leaders, who will listen to all people a do what is right- the common good.

Conclusion/ Ending 7- Why do people from all races and walks of like respect him? Do you respect / honor him? Why?

6.       I think that all people respect M L K because he successfully helped African Americans and poor people without using violence and hurting anyone. M L K Jr. showed people how to change laws by using kind words and deeds (actions), like peaceful protests, boycotting (not riding/using) public buses and speaking and writing to people and the government. I truly respect him and honor him because he was a great man for his kindness, his courage in the face of threats and death. Nevertheless, he kept going- didn’t give up- he kept teaching and working for justice with his supporters/friends, and never renounced (gave up) his non-violent stance, his position, his way of not hating, not fighting, of not to being mean, but instead he showed others  how to change the world with love. In fact, he gave his life for the love of all people. Dr. Luther King Jr. is one of my greatest American heroes in our nation, and in the world because he made our country and the world a better place by the ultimate sacrifice- of his life- for a more compassionate and just America. Let’s remember and honor him. He deserves no less from all of us!

 

Conclusion/ Ending 10 – Where are we today, as far as civil rights for blacks and the poor? Do you think that race relations between blacks and whites are better?

Race relations in our country are awful, not good at all today, mainly because of President Trump. His degrading, offensive, inflammatory, racist rhetoric has been the major cause that has stirred hate, fear and distrust between black and whites in the USA. I am glad, and I thank God, that this POTUS (President of the United States) has lost his reelection this past November; another 4 years of his unstable, violent and corrupt administration would have been a bigger disaster and possibly brought us into another civil war! As a matter of fact, we almost saw it happen on January 6^th 2021! That morning President Trump incited his follower thugs on TV to go down to the nation’s Capital and to fight their way in. It wasn’t surprising to see this other act of treason from him- the first US President who has refused (rebuffed, declined) to concede (admit, accept) defeat; but instead he has done nothing but lying about election fraud since November 4^th- without having and/or showing any proof. And then he started fomenting (inspiring, inciting, inviting) his supporters into committing (doing) violence and take control of the government by force; by killing and/or taking hostages. Although 6 people died from the January 6^th raid- Trump’s coup attempt (takeover of the government) didn’t succeed. Thank God, the doors at the Capitol’s chambers were locked by security- one minute before the attackers could enter and complete their evil plan! The Capitol security and the police were able to secure (protect) and lock-down the members of Congress until late in the afternoon when reinforcements (help) arrived. But only after President Elect Biden urged President Trump to call his thugs into a peaceful retreat. I believe that January 6, 2021, will be remember as a day of infamy (shame and dishonor)! Americans came close to losing our freedom! I honestly think that America’s democracy was saved by a miracle.

Therefore, it is please ry obvious (evident, clear) that President Trump’s tenure (time in office as president), was awful (terrible, not good) for black/white race relations. I think his presidency will be remembered as one of the most racially violent and divisive in American history, because we’ve witnessed (seen) an escalation (increase) of violence toward blacks, immigrants, toward and poor and minorities (small groups of people). In these last 4 years we’ve also seen too much police violence and brutality (cruelty) toward blacks. And that our nation  has been sickened by it! People of all races have supported the efforts of Black Lives Matter. They held many peaceful rallies (marches, demonstrations ), throughout (all over) the world, however, some demonstration in the USA turned ugly and violent, and the police responded with brutal force in trying to stop the Black Lives Matter protesters, who were mostly blacks, who rioted and destroyed property. Their anger was understandable, nevertheless (however), I believe that violence is always wrong. And I truly believe that if MLK were alive today, he would be very sad, and condemn (disapprove of) the violence, both from the protesters and the police. I also think that he would also be very upset (distressed, disappointed) and saddened (sad, depressed) by these ugly events; and he would speak decisively (surely, authoritatively) and forcefully (powerfully) against them, in order to defend the dignity (honor, respect) of blacks, of their civil rights, and condemn police violence. I am certain that he would not accept lies, hate, xenophobia (racism, prejudice) from that have been spread by President Trump, and/or from anyone who tries to use violence and lies in order to overturn our democracy.

All the people who love freedom, respect the law, and uphold (support, sustain) decency, fairness, and justice; must stand up, and like MLK, speak up peacefully but with conviction (faith, passion)! We must, if we want that to protect our rights, and our country, from those who undermine them and want to take them away from us!

May God Bless America, sweet land of Liberty! And may Almighty God, protect her from all enemies of freedom and justice! The great and admirable (worthy, good) virtues (qualities) of fairness, integrity, honesty, righteousness, and equality.

MLK Video Collection on his Life 

MLK Jr’s VIDEOS

1.     Martin Luther King, Jr. - Minister & Civil Rights Activist | Biography 5 min., Jan 8, 2010    https://youtu.be/3ank52Zi_S0

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist who had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States, playing a pivotal (very important) role in ending the legal segregation (separation) of African-American citizens in the United States, and the creation of the Civil Rights Act (freedom laws) of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (freedom to vote for all).

 

2. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: Biography for Children, American History for Kids – FreeSchool, 6 min., 8 Jan 2016 https://youtu.be/pG8X0vOvi7Q

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, was a famous Civil Rights leader, pastor, and humanitarian (helper of all people). He is best known for his peaceful, nonviolent protests and speeches calling for change! This kid-friendly video is filled with facts and information about Martin Luther King Jr. and his life. MLK changed history, and so every January we celebrate him near his birthday. It also introduces and briefly explains the issue of segregation at a child's level, and briefly touches on Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

 

2.   Rosa Parks for Kids | Biography Video  13 min 13 Jan 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sqiZ7agt4Q

Learn about the incredible life of Rosa Parks in this biography video for kids! Kids will learn about the legacy of Rosa Parks, the First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement, also known as the Mother of the Freedom Movement! You will learn about her childhood, her peaceful protest on the bus and the boycott that shaped the civil rights movement!

 

3.     Martin Luther King Jr: 'My dream has turned into a nightmare' 4 min  Sep 4, 2014 AN INTERVIEW with MLK Jr.  https://youtu.be/QNz8j5NOyew

Considering current global events unfolding around the world and the recent murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s thoughts concerning the Vietnam War in the context of his "I Have A Dream" speech is rather poignant and revealing. Dr. King explains the war in Vietnam was undermining (endangering, threatening) the fight for social justice (fairness/equality for all people)  by breeding (starting) insensitivity (selfishness) to the suffering of South Asians and dulling America's collective conscience (minds, thought) ...MLK says his dream has on many points turned into a nightmare. "We have many more difficult days ahead . . . We have a long, long way to go . . . When a nation becomes OBSESSED (fanatical) with the guns of war, it loses its social perspective and programs of social uplift suffer." (help for society, like jobs, school, health care, food stamps, education, etc.)

4.     I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King .Jr HD (subtitled)

6.5 min, Nov 7, 2017  https://youtu.be/vP4iY1TtS3s

I Have a Dream" is a public speech that was delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement and among the most iconic speeches in American history.

5.     Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" Speech | History 5 min. Jan 13, 2018

Learn about the political and social context behind Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech, the rhetorical devices that helped its concepts resonate, and its effect on the broader Civil Rights Movement. https://youtu.be/_IB0i6bJIjw

 

6.     Martin Luther King, Jr., "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?"20 min

https://youtu.be/ZmtOGXreTOU

Rarely seen footage of Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking to students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967, where he delivered his speech "What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" Video used by permission of The School District of Philadelphia. All rights reserved. Speech reprinted in A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students, part of the King Legacy Series, published by Beacon Press. This is the first time the speech has been published in its entirety.  

 

FULL MOVIES ON YOUTUBE!

 

1. The Rosa Parks Story- movie 1hr & 16 min

“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it’s right.” – Rosa Parks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlnal8phaQY

 

2.  Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored (1996) | A Tim Reid Film (1hr, 54 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNoRjHFFv_g

Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored is a 1996 American period drama film directed by Tim Reid and the screenplay was written by Paul W. Cooper, the film is based on Clifton Taulbert’s real life and his non-fiction book Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored. - Wikipedia Welcome to Glen Allan, Mississippi, 1946. Experience an America that remains only in the hearts and minds of those who were brought up in this small southern community. Lost in the sweat of the cotton fields and hidden in the juke joints of muddy water blues, the people of Glen Allan nurtured and protected each other while celebrating life to the fullest. In a time when the Ku Klux Klan terrorized the streets and "White Only" were the first words learned by African American children, Clifton was encouraged by the love and kinship of the tightly-knit community to overcome the bigotry and intolerance of the South, allowing him to embark on an extraordinary journey.