What inspiration did Martin Luther king have?

One of the greatest inspirations for social change in America was Martin Luther King Jr. Not only did Martin Luther King Jr. help lead a revolution in areas such as civil rights and labor rights, but he also led many movements that continued to shape America for years after his death in 1968. Though it is easy to think of his huge impact on the country, what many people do not realize is how influential and powerful he sounded when he spoke or wrote. Sometimes even we forget how much emotion he conveyed and how inspirational his words were with their message of equality, fairness, justice, freedom, pride, and love. His perseverance against great odds could easily be described as "love". Martin Luther King Jr. was not afraid to speak out against racism, poverty, and other inequality - he was a fighter for the poor and the underprivileged. He spoke out against the social evils of segregation, and immoral laws such as Jim Crow segregation in the South, and he also spoke out against the nuclear war in Vietnam and the tensions of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. was such a passionate man who used his own life as an example to many others to show how they could overcome their adversity.

"I am happy to join Dr. King's legacy by using my influence and ability to speak out for others in our society. I am doing this because I know if I remain silent, I am allowing the situation to continue and that is not fair. We have to speak up and take action today. If we can do this as a nation, we can save ourselves."- William F. Buckley Jr., 1965

By: Lyssa Balestier, 2009 When he died in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. left behind more than a pile of papers and a political movement. He left behind an impact that still spreads around the world even nearly 50 years after his death. He pioneered many social movements like civil rights for African Americans and aggressive action leading up to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Martin Luther King Jr. also was a civil rights activist, labor activist, and anti-war activist. He is most known for his role in the Civil Rights Movement but he is also well known as a pioneer in labor activism and anti-war activism. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest leaders against segregation and racism in America. He challenged people to think about what they were doing when they followed horrible laws like Jim Crow segregation laws.