Inspire A Change by Tayia

Inspire A Change by Tayia - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

If I could have dinner with any historical figure, I would choose Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King has made a major impact on America, but the road was not easy. King along with many others, like Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, and more, have paved a bright path for African Americans. Dr. King is well known for his positive changes to our society, and over time his influence has not faded. Dr. Martin Luther King wrote five books and numerous articles, allowing him to be idolized by many. Having dinner with Martin Luther King would have been an honor.
Martin Luther King, Jr, a strong leader, was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. King grew up to become a minister, activist, humanitarian, and Civil Rights Movement Leader. Attended segregated public schools when he was younger. Graduating at age 15, he went on to obtain a B.A. degree in 1948 from Morehouse College. He later enrolled in graduate studies at Boston University, completing his doctrine in 1953 and receiving a degree in 1955. Attending segregated schools could be a obstacle for anyone, it could easily be used as an excuse to limit yourself on achieving your full potential. King did not allow the hardships get in the way of his education, because he knew he could achieve something great, even if not many people did. To any student, this should be an example of how you shouldn't let others determine your excellence.
By 1954, King was a member of the executive committee of the NAACP(National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The NAACP is an association that ensures the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all people and to eliminate racial discrimination. Founded in 1909, it is the nation's oldest, largest, and most widely-known non-profit organization. For over 100 years, they have been working to put an end to any racial discrimination.
In 1955, King exhibited his strong leadership skills in the first Black nonviolent demonstration 'The Montgomery Bus Boycott', which lasted 382 days. During these days, King was arrested, his home was destroyed, and he was physically abused. On December 21, 1956, in response to all boycott participant's dedication, blacks and whites rode equally after the Supreme Court declared segregation on buses unconstitutional. Without everyone's strive to make a change, how do you think our nation would be today? Would we still be segregated on buses, schools, grocery stores and more?
In 1963, another major Civil Rights campaign occurred, the 'Birmingham Campaign' also known as Project C. The nonviolent campaign lasted for months, consisting of lunch counter sit-ins, marches on city hall, and boycotts on downtown merchants. These peaceful protests were met with extreme acts of violence, using high pressured hoses and police dog attacks. During this time, Martin Luther King was again arrested, but while in jail he wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail", which was written in response to a public statement of caution issued by eight white religious leaders of the South. They stated how they felt his actions have been unwise and untimely. In his letter, he explained his reasoning for his actions and the struggle of having to be a Black husband and father in this time. He explains how he wants to make the future better for his children and better for society itself. By the end of May 1963, local officials removed " White Only" "Black Only" signs, created a "Black job improvement plan", release all jailed demonstrators, and created a biracial committee to monitor all agreements.

Martin Luther King, Jr is someone that I idolize and he, among others, inspire me to believe that I can make even a slightest change to help our society. I have always heard that we have to learn from our history or else it could repeat itself. Today, our society is slowly beginning to repeat its history. Racial discrimination is still in our environment, but we don't need another Martin Luther King to make a difference for the good. If I could have dinner with any historical figure, I would choose Martin Luther King, Jr. He made a change in the past, and inspires me to make a change for the future.