Martin Luther King Jr. displayed great courage in confronting racial discrimination and segregation in the 1950s-1960s. He led several important non-violent protests, including the Montgomery bus boycott and March on Washington, and advocated for civil rights despite frequent arrests and threats. His most famous speech was "I Have a Dream", delivered at the Lincoln Memorial, which helped pass landmark civil rights legislation. Ultimately, MLK's courage in the face of immense challenges was instrumental in advancing the success of the Civil Rights movement.

1. Martin Luther King Junior’s COURAGE FOR CHANGE Eamon O’Brien – Mr. Patten’s 4th Period Religion 11

3. Courage’s textbook definition is:

4. The ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation

5. There are other various definitions and specific types of courage; ex. Moral courage, physical courage, etc. Courage the Cowardly dog is NOT the type of courage worth discussing. Get him out of your head.

7. However, physical strength does not necessarily imply fortitude

8. Strength of the mind is what is necessary in order to be courageous and as will be seen in this presentation, MLK had exactly just that Strong people are commonly associated with courage, which is a misconception as physical strength does not imply fortitude.

10. He attended school, where he undoubtedly encountered racial discrimination

11. He skipped two grades due to his intelligence and desire to make a difference quickMartin Luther King Jr. was well known for his rhetoric and ability to establish a bond with his audiences.

13. Mohandas Gandhi: protested British by means of non-violence

14. Howard Thurman: met with Gandhi and did missionary work abroad

15. Bayard Rustin: studied Gandhi’s teachings; advocated non-violence

17. Jim Crow Laws – enacted “separate but equal” status; legal segregation

18. Voting qualifications often restricted African Americans from voting

19. This would add fuel to MLK’s flameSigns indicating segregated areas were common. African American facilities were often in far worse condition than white ones, despite the supposed “separate but equal” doctrine.

21. Rosa Parks had refused to give her seat to a white man and was arrested as a result

23. King got involved and was even arrested while peacefully protesting

24. King courageously declined bail until the city would make concessions

25. King returned to Albany a year later and was again arrested After two weeks of trying to meet with the Albany city council, Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and 8 others kneeled to pray on the steps of the city hall. King and Abernathy were arrested and sent to jail for the third time.

27. Its goal was to end the city's segregated civil and discriminatory economic policies.

29. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech advocating racial harmony at the Lincoln Memorial during the march

31. There were 3 marches, which marked the high point of the Civil Rights movement

33. MLK’s assassination led to a gloomy year and riots broke were prevalent

34. Although MLK’s public protests only lasted for about two decades, without them, it is likely that the Civil Rights movement would have moved along at a much slower pace

35. MLK will never be forgotten for his courage to take a stand in a society full of racism and prejudiceThe Lorraine Motel, where King was assassinated, is now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum.

37. MLK not only protested, but did so in a civil and non-violent way

38. This “civil disobedience” requires much more courage that brute force

40. MLK’s courage was a catalyst for change and thus, he will be forever remembered

41. Courage requires one to continue despite limitations or dangers, like what MLK did in a society full of racism

42. MLK was arrested several times, but he knew what he was going was right“We must constantly build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” – MLK

43. MAY HE BE REMEMBERED FOREVER FOR HIS COURAGE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE