Martin Luther King faced resistance to his efforts and at all levels , from local police , district judges , governors and even the President of the United States . He was arrested over 20 times , yet despite it all , he continued in his labour for change . In addition to the police violence and violence from segregationists , King also faced threats and violence from members of his own race that did not agree with his views of peace , unity and brotherhood . He was stabbed in the chest at a book signing and later stoned by a group of black nationalists who felt that the history of injustice made racial integration and racial unity impossible .
In an effort to learn more about the plights of the poor , Martin Luther King , Jr . moved into the poorest area of Chicago and switched his focus to a broad social uplift campaign known as “ the poor people ’ s campaign .” King believed that in addition to the right to vote , the government would also need to invest in economic and social improvement for true equality to become a reality . King demanded economic aid to the poorest communities of all races in the United States in what would be called the Economic Bill of Rights .
Recognizing the immense sums of money being spent on war in Vietnam rather than those in need in the United States , King began to adamantly oppose the war and call for the end of federal funds being used on violence . Martin Luther King , Jr . suggested that poverty was a major cause of the social problems in the U . S . and called for “ a radical redistribution of economic and political power ” that would uplift those from all racial and ethnic groups .
“ We are called to speak for the weak , for the voiceless , for the victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy . For no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers .” Martin Luther King Jr .
In the last days of his life , Martin Luther King Jr . was supporting a garbage worker ’ s strike in Tennessee and planning a massive nonviolent civil disobedience demonstration to bring a broad ethnic and racial mix of the nation ’ s poor to set up camp at the national mall in Washington D . C . The goal of the demonstration was to make it unavoidable for the lawmakers at the Capitol to remain ignorant on the plight and needs of the poor . However , before the event could take place , Martin Luther King Jr . was assassinated while exiting his hotel room . As a result , organization and rallies on behalf of the economic bill crumbled and it did not pass .
There is much controversy surrounding King ’ s death such as how and why it occurred . King had been under surveillance by the FBI for years including during the shooting , he was labeled as the “ most dangerous negro ”, and had faced dozens of FBI ’ s attempts to infiltrate and disrupt the movement and to discredit King . The suspected killer , James Earl Ray , was picked up by the FBI and coerced into pleading guilty to avoid going to trial or having evidence produced . Many had hoped for further investigations and clarity .
Despite the controversies over his tragic death , what should be remembered about Martin Luther King Jr . was his profound grasp on the social problems in the world around him and his commitment to use nonviolent tactics to bring about social change . He is a hero in every sense of the word . King committed his life improving the lives of all races and to creating true unity through racial reconciliation .
“ I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question . I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry . I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked . I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison . And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity .” – King ’ s desire for his legacy .
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Martin Luther King faced resistance to his efforts and at all levels , from local police , district judges , governors and even the President of the United States . He was arrested over 20 times , yet despite it all , he continued in his labour for change . In addition to the police violence and violence from segregationists , King also faced threats and violence from members of his own race that did not agree with his views of peace , unity and brotherhood . He was stabbed in the chest at a book signing and later stoned by a group of black nationalists who felt that the history of injustice made racial integration and racial unity impossible .
In an effort to learn more about the plights of the poor , Martin Luther King , Jr . moved into the poorest area of Chicago and switched his focus to a broad social uplift campaign known as “ the poor people ’ s campaign .” King believed that in addition to the right to vote , the government would also need to invest in economic and social improvement for true equality to become a reality . King demanded economic aid to the poorest communities of all races in the United States in what would be called the Economic Bill of Rights .
Recognizing the immense sums of money being spent on war in Vietnam rather than those in need in the United States , King began to adamantly oppose the war and call for the end of federal funds being used on violence . Martin Luther King , Jr . suggested that poverty was a major cause of the social problems in the U . S . and called for “ a radical redistribution of economic and political power ” that would uplift those from all racial and ethnic groups .
“ We are called to speak for the weak , for the voiceless , for the victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy . For no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers .” Martin Luther King Jr .
In the last days of his life , Martin Luther King Jr . was supporting a garbage worker ’ s strike in Tennessee and planning a massive nonviolent civil disobedience demonstration to bring a broad ethnic and racial mix of the nation ’ s poor to set up camp at the national mall in Washington D . C . The goal of the demonstration was to make it unavoidable for the lawmakers at the Capitol to remain ignorant on the plight and needs of the poor . However , before the event could take place , Martin Luther King Jr . was assassinated while exiting his hotel room . As a result , organization and rallies on behalf of the economic bill crumbled and it did not pass .
There is much controversy surrounding King ’ s death such as how and why it occurred . King had been under surveillance by the FBI for years including during the shooting , he was labeled as the “ most dangerous negro ”, and had faced dozens of FBI ’ s attempts to infiltrate and disrupt the movement and to discredit King . The suspected killer , James Earl Ray , was picked up by the FBI and coerced into pleading guilty to avoid going to trial or having evidence produced . Many had hoped for further investigations and clarity .
Despite the controversies over his tragic death , what should be remembered about Martin Luther King Jr . was his profound grasp on the social problems in the world around him and his commitment to use nonviolent tactics to bring about social change . He is a hero in every sense of the word . King committed his life improving the lives of all races and to creating true unity through racial reconciliation .
“ I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question . I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry . I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked . I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison . And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity .” – King ’ s desire for his legacy .