© Boardworks Ltd 2004 1 of 17 Martin Luther King These icons indicate that detailed teacher’s notes or useful web addresses are available in the Notes

© Boardworks Ltd 20041 of 17

Martin Luther King

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Martin Luther King was a black Baptist minister who wanted to end oppression of black people in the USA in the 1950s and 1960s. He felt the time had come to take a stand about the racial injustice he saw all around him.

What did justice mean to Martin Luther King?


Martin Luther King’s life – key dates


Oppression means harsh treatment such as…

Violent attacks Being paid less for jobs

Segregation on buses

Oppression of blacks in the USA in the 1960s

Not being allowed to vote


Montgomery, Alabama

Rosa Parks

Oppression – Segregation on buses

I pay my fare to the driver, then have to get off and re-board through the back door. Sometimes the bus drives off before I can get to the back. If the white section is full and a white customer enters, I have to give up my seat and move further to the back. A black person is not even allowed to sit across the aisle from whites. Two-thirds of the bus riders in Montgomery are black.


On 1st December 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested forrefusing to give up her seat to a white passenger.

The story of Rosa Parks

What happened next?

Her friends organized a boycott of the buses.No one used the buses, they got lifts instead.Martin Luther King gave a speech and said ‘There comes a time that people get tired’. A year later the bus company gave in. Segregation on the buses ended.


Montgomery Bus Boycott leaflet


Oppression – violent attacks

Malcolm X was leader of the Black Muslims in America in the 1950s and early 1960s. His father was murdered in a violent attack by the Ku Klux Klan, when Malcolm was 6 years old. He was assassinated in1965.


Ballot or bullet?


Martin Luther King believed it was important for blacks to gain the right to vote using peaceful protests.

Martin Luther King said violence is…

Immoral ImpracticalIt humiliates your opponent

It leads to more destruction

It thrives on hatred It doesn’t help people to understand you


Civil rights march on Washington, 1963


Malcolm X believed the only option was to fight and to use violence against whites, if necessary.

Malcolm X said that violence is…

Necessary Uncompromising

In defence of freedom Power makes a point

To gain equality with whites

Everyone has their human rights

Can you write a short speech to reflect his views?


What Martin Luther King said about justice

Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.


Non-violent direct action + -Speeches

Boycotts

Marches

Advantages or disadvantages?

Are there more advantages than disadvantages of

non-violent direct action?


Design a poster using these words of Martin Luther King’s.

Love and hate

Darkness cannot drive out darknessonly light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hateonly love can do that.


How Martin Luther King showed justice


Martin Luther King said this was how he wanted to be remembered after his death:

Say that I was

A drum major

Say that I was

A drum major for justice

Say that I was

A drum major for peace

Say that I was

A drum major for righteousness

Write your own memorial to Martin Luther King.

Memorial

Documents

© Boardworks Ltd 2004 1 of 17 Martin Luther King These icons indicate that detailed teacher’s notes or useful web addresses are available in the Notes