During my TEFL program, I wrote the following paragraph for one of our 1st writing assignments.
September 9, 2004
The Great Qualities of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., known for his immense involvement with the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, he held noteworthy traits as a leader. He possessed great ideals, was full of perseverance, and was well-spoken. Dr. King was a well-respected clergyman and civil rights leaders, who was known for his ideologies. During his time, there was much racial segregation, and African Americans were treated very poorly by the Caucasians who persecuted them. However, Dr. King wanted to change this. He wanted everyone to treat everyone equally despite the color of one’s skin or religious background. Dr. King wanted to give everyone a sense of self-worth. Dr. King strongly opposed the use of violence to respond to injustice because violence would not result in any positive resolutions. Instead, violence would only lead to more violence. Consequently, Dr. King encouraged the practice of nonviolence resistance to stand against the racial segregation. Also, Dr. King’s ability to persevere to made him an outstanding leader. Even though he was arrested about thirty times for participating in civil rights activities, he continued to fight against the racial injustice and persisted on spreading his message of equality. In addition, Dr. King was a great speaker. He made many speeches, but he is most noted for his most eloquent speech which is called “I Have a Dream.” In this speech, he spoke with a strong and clear voice to a very large crowd in Washington. Whether he made a speech to a large crowd of people or in his church, he spoke with a captivating voice. Because of his words and messages of social equality and nonviolence, charismatic speeches, and endurance through hardships, Dr. King brought such noteworthy significant changes to U.S. history that his birthday, January 15th, was made a holiday in remembrance of him and his charismatic leadership.
Reverend King would probably agree that the greatest testament to his influence and his accomplishments are not a national holiday or myriad streets throughout our nation carrying his namesake. Dr. King would say it's when people of diversity can overcome inherited prejudices and superstitions to join together in working toward equality, justice and peace. It's simple acts of kindness to the downtrodden and the distressed that serve as more powerful memorials to Dr. King. Thanks, Emily, for your commentary on his importance to Americans.
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