Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta

Georgia. His father was the minister of the Ebenezer Baptist Church,

as was his father before him. "M.L.," as he was called, lived with his

parents, his sister and brother in Atlanta. Their home was not far

from the church his father preached at.

M.L.'s mother and father taught their children what would become an

important part of M.L.'s life - to treat all people with respect.

Martin's father worked hard to break down the barriers between the

races. His father believed African-Americans should register their

complaints by voting.

As M.L. grew up he found that not everyone followed his parents

principles. He noticed that "black" people and white people where

treated differently. He saw that he and his white friends could not

drink from the same water fountains and could not use the same

restrooms.

M.L.'s best friend as a child was a white boy and as children they

played happily together. But when they reached school age the friends

found that even though they lived in the same neighbourhood, they

could not go to the same school. M.L.'s friend would go to a school

for white children only and M.L. was sent to a school for "black"

children. After the first day of school M.L. and his friend were never

allowed to play together again.

When M.L. was ready for college he decided to follow his father and

become a minister. Also at college M.L. met a young woman named

Coretta Scott and they would eventually married. In 1954 M.L. received

his PhD. and accepted the job of pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist

Church in Montgomery which meant Mart...

... middle of paper ...

...nt to Memphis, Tennessee

to help the sanitation workers who were on strike. On April 3rd Dr.

King would give what would be his last speech:

"We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me

now. Because I have been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like

anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place.

But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will.

And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over.

And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I

want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the

Promised Land. And I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the

glory of the coming of the Lord"

The following day, April 4 1968, as he left his motel room Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed.