Introduction
Martin Luther King is a man who made a considerable contribution to overcoming the segregation and racial discrimination inherent in American society in the mid-twentieth century. Fame did not come to Martin Luther King immediately. Still, it was well-deserved, especially since King was one of the few leaders of the African American movement who fundamentally advocated non-violent methods of struggle. It was this humanistic position that ultimately cost the young pastor his life. He was hated by the champions of the old order and segregation, but African-American radicals also accused King of conciliation and systems (Hendarto). As a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama, King led protests against color segregation on public transportation. Despite being killed in adulthood, Luther King provoked significant changes in America, which are happing even today.
The Speech
King’s work created a new American reality geared towards equality. His speech “I have a dream” brought Martin great fame and recognition. Many people noticed and continue to witness the extraordinary personality of Martin Luther King, which is expressed in Christian concepts, which were the basis of his speeches (Luther King). The leadership position was based on Christian love, in which he believed unconditionally. In August 1963, Martin Luther’s most significant political action took place both in terms of mass and resonance: the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (Luther King). This outstanding personality’s address and life affected the formation of political party decisions and American society in general.
The Effect of Speech and Social Activities on Society
After his death, the US Congress constitutionally recognized the importance of his legacy by declaring the third Monday of January a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King’s birthday. His credits include the passage of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited segregation in public places, and the Voting Rights Act, which established equal electoral rights for African Americans (Ender). King did not publicly support any political party or a particular candidate in his political activities, believing they all had shortcomings. In matters of racial inequality, he criticized both the main US parties – the Republican and Democratic considering they both moved away from the ideals of civil equality.
Americans percept Martin Luther King as an American hero. Whatever his personal shortcomings, he stood for justice and the safety of people of all races and any sex before the law. King actually believed in the American dream in the form in which it was promoted in society. However, it should be noted that he nevertheless brought humanity closer to humanization, ensuring that the phenomenon of racism remains in the past (Hendarto). The Americans were awakened by his speech which provoked people to be more kind and acceptive, and today, the social trends toward equality can be highlighted.
The Political Changes
There are also significant impacts on the political sphere. The primary political outcome of the March was the passage of two key laws: The Civil Rights Act, which abolished segregation in public places, and the Voting Rights Act (Hendarto). Barak Obama’s government is the significant visible improvement resulting from King’s actions. The Democratic Party, centered on advancing equality in mass, promoted Obama as president. He gained considerable support from the people and politicians and brought many positive changes to American society during his years of governing.
Conclusion
Therefore, the general impact of the actions, especially Martin Luther King’s speech, is significant and can be seen even in everyday tendencies toward equality. Some of the effects can be seen in the black president’s acceptance of the political parties. The American consciousness patterns were also changed, inspired by the speech of Luther King. His death served as a sacrifice for future changes, even though the complete elimination of discrimination cannot be achieved even today. However, significant changes in the human perception of people of color resulted from the actions of King.
Works Cited
Ender, Tommy. “Teaching the Young Lords Party: The Civil Rights Movement in New York City.” TeachingSocialStudies, Web.
Hendarto, Sylvia. Social Power: The Gap Between Majority and Minority Groups in Martin Luther King Jr.’s Speeches. 2019. Widya Mandala Catholic University, the Degree of Master in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
Luther King, Martin. “I Have a Dream.” March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, 1963, Washington, D.C., Washington. Speech.