Martin Luther King, Jr. was a central figure in the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s. King's powerful leadership abilities coupled with his deep religious faith and compassionate nature enabled him to make a significant contribution toward the cause of civil rights. King's primary interest in the movement was to put an end to the practice of racial segregation which was common in the United States during that time. Segregation of the races affected all aspects of life: blacks were largely prohibited from attending the same schools as whites, their occupational opportunities were severely limited, and they were restricted from enjoying many of the rights and pleasures which American society offered to its white citizens. King's religious beliefs and his deep love for humanity motivated him to fight for an end to segregation. He led the African American people in many protests and demonstrations which helped to further the cause of racial equality. As a Baptist minister, King approached the cause of civil rights from a peaceful, non-violent perspective, which showed the world that significant change could occur in society without the use of violence. In a tragic turn of events, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated while at the peak of his career as an activist and civil rights leader. Nonetheless, his life and death served to advance the cause of racial equality in the United States. This paper will discuss the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., placing particular emphasis on the religious and social influences which led him to fight against segregation and for harmony between the races.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. His father, Martin Luther King, Sr., was a Baptist minister, and his mother, Alberta Williams King, was a teacher. Martin Jr. was the second child in the family: his sister Christine was one year older. He also had a younger brother, Albert Da...