Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy and Modern-Day Criticism

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Critics that Martin Luther may Experience in the Modern-day
Critics he Might be Having on Modern-day Domestic and Foreign Policy
Application of the Letter from Birmingham
Christian Voice Intervention
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Martin Luther King Jr., commonly referred to by the initials MLK was an American activist and Baptist minister mostly known for his efforts to end racism in the United States. King was linked to the development of the civil rights movement as it was considered to cause a lot of revolution in the country through the use of peaceful demonstrations, which succeeded in the attainment of numerous policies that made African Americans recognized in the then highly racist country. His efforts to combat racism and fight for equality made him perceived differently among the different social groups in the United States. While the Negroes perceived him as their savior, the whites and government saw him as a radical leader who radicalized the issue of racism, causing chaos across the country. This aspect made him meet a lot of resistance, especially from the government mechanisms, whenever he visited a state since he was considered a threat to the nation’s peace. Despite being treated as a terrorist during his life, Martin Luther King is currently remembered as a humanitarian who succeeded in bringing equality not only in the United States but also across the world.

Critics that Martin Luther may Experience in the Modern-day

Martin Luther King played a critical role in attaining civil rights across the United States. King’s mode of advocacy was one of a kind as it involved peaceful demonstrations where he, together with other activists, matched roads with placards showing their grievances and the various things they wanted the government to change. Such matches were highly denounced by the government, which had passed discriminatory laws, because they believed the demonstrations would destroy the social order (Harvey, n.p). This aspect made martin Luther face police officers dedicated to eliminating such protests as they were considered unlawful. The media back then denounced him and his entire course. According to Harvey, King was despised by the media as it was a tool against him. Most of the publications painted a negative image of him as he was considered a rebel and an enemy of the state. This aspect made him known as a revolutionist dedicated to causing trouble for the state. Such elements have significantly changed in the mainstream media as Martin Luther is considered a national hero who shaped America’s political and social lives (Harvey, n.p). His efforts are currently regarded as optimistic as he is even celebrated as one of the most influential people in the country’s history.

Critics he Might be Having on Modern-day Domestic and Foreign Policy

If Martin Luther King were there today, he would have highly criticized the current policing and economic policies experienced in the United States. Such policies are perceived to significantly impact the country’s people as they have made the country have a bad reputation not only within the land but also across the world. The use of excessive force by the police has led to demonstrations across the country since the minority groups are the ones that are highly affected. These events are similar to those experienced during his time, including discrimination against blacks. In addition, economic policies like high commodities prices are not new to the country as the country has always been materialistic (Rossner 236). Considering the various issues that King advocated for during his time, he would be at the forefront today, leading demonstrations across the country over the extrajudicial killings that have been experienced in recent years, where most of the victims of police brutality have been Negroes. Due to this reason, King would not watch what he had fought for being brought back, leading to the death of innocent people in the name of maintaining law and order.

Application of the Letter from Birmingham

King’s letter from Birmingham is still applicable today. Although equality laws exist, King advocated for various aspects still exercised in the modern world. In the letter from Birmingham, Luther talked about how the government had implemented regulations that discriminate among some people (Schwartz 375). He advocated for the people that should rise to fight injustice. In his letter, Luther states that it is the moral responsibility of the citizens to break all unjust laws through direct action instead of waiting for justice to be obtained through the courts, as it may take forever for such a thing to happen. He argued that injustice to anyone in a single place was a threat to justice anywhere else (Schwartz 375). Such aspects are applied today as people still undertake peaceful demonstrations in the United States to advocate for the acts of injustice experienced across the country. For example, the Black Lives Matter protests after the continued cases of police murders have been an act of fighting injustice. In addition, Luther complained about how the police were used to suppress the fight against racial discrimination, which is still experienced today as the police still execute blacks in the disguise of maintaining law and order.

Christian Voice Intervention

As a minister, Martin Luther used the bible to teach about the virtues taught in Christian teachings. Through summons, he preached about equality, peace, and love among Christians, which significantly impacted the mobilization of individuals who matched together in the street demonstration (Rossner 239). The teaching of peace made the protesters calm and composed. The Protestants did not fight back even when the police engaged them physically. Such an aspect made it challenging for the police to disperse them as they were united and dedicated to dying for what they believed in. Such a voice would play a significant role in modern society as it would unite people as one Christian family irrespective of an individual’s racial background. The voice would advocate against inhumanity that is undertaken by the police making it easy to push for the development of laws that criminalize police brutality.

Conclusion

Martin Luther King played a critical role in developing a modern society where all people are considered essential. His acts gave hope to the people of color as they were not regarded as relevant in American society. The change in presentation of King from being considered a rebel and an enemy of the state to becoming an international hero who fought against inequality shows that he was a great man. His efforts changed the mentality of many who advocate for abolishing policies against humanity. King’s letter from Birmingham is still relevant today as it reflected on things still experienced in the modern world. Aspects like police brutality reflect how the police troubled the blacks. His Christian voice could still be used today to preach peace, unity of purpose, and the importance of loving one another. Through such unity, individuals can unite and push for a typical course: racial discrimination.

Works Cited

Harvey, Paul. “Martin Luther King Jr. Had a Much More Radical Message Than a Dream of Racial Brotherhood.”Ohio Capital Journal, 2022.

Rossner, Philipp Robinson. “Martin Luther and the Making of the Modern Economic Mind.”International Review of Economics 66.3 (2019): 233-248.

Schwartz, Earl. “Letter from Birmingham Jail: From World to Word.” Word & World 38.4 (2018). Web.

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