A Doer, not a Dreamer...
An Essay on the Life of a Remarkable Leader
An Essay on the Life of a Remarkable Leader
Walking Down on Auburn Avenue
America's Most Famous Avenue of Black History
America's Most Famous Avenue of Black History
Anatomy of a Boycott
The words of a true leader, philosopher and servant
echo today in the wake of a shapeless movement
The words of a true leader, philosopher and servant
echo today in the wake of a shapeless movement
| BARRIOZONA |
| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| Relevant Information in BARRIOZONA |
S E R V I C E
Perhaps the most relevant personality attribute possessed
by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was his willingness to serve.
His great eloquence, endurance, patience, and love were
indeed forces that drove his work. Then again, the fact that
he offered his life to benefit not only the cause of his people,
but of mankind’s, speaks about his consciousness of his role
as a servant. Serving encompasses self-denial, and courage.
King explained that the ultimate purpose of serving is a
commitment to others. He wanted to serve “not for any
selfish reason…not in terms of any political kingdom or
ambition.”
N O N - V I O L E N C E
King used nonviolence as a tactical theory, an alternative,
and as a creative force. He said, “nonviolent resistance
causes no explosions of anger, it does not instigate riots, it
controls anger and releases it under discipline for maximum
effect.” As an alternative King said: “It isn’t a method of
cowardice or stagnant passivity; it does resist… It does not
seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win its
friendship and understanding.” As a creative force, King
believed nonviolence “channelizes discontent… and saves it
from degenerating into hatred and bitterness. And this is the
beauty of nonviolence. It says you can struggle without
hating…”
D I R E C T A C T I O N
In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King explained that “in a
nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps.” Step four is
direct action (the first three are: collection of facts,
negotiation, and self-purification.) He made clear that the
goal of direct action is negotiation. “Direct action seeks to
create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that
a community that has constantly refused to negotiate is
forced to confront the issue. It seeks to dramatize the issue
that it can no longer be ignored.” King not only realized that
the plight of his people was something that couldn’t be put
on hold or could wait, but that direct action was a must, and
he acted accordingly
The life and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to
inspire the struggle for freedom and social justice. His
dedication to a cause inherently related to human dignity
goes beyond ethnicity and race, and it can be applied to
attempt to resolve some of our most difficult current social
issues. But as he is honored throughout the nation every
third Monday of January, we must not reduce his contribution
to humanity to just the celebration of his birthday, the
marches, and other celebrations. The benefit of his
immeasurable work is too valuable to limit it to just one day.
Perhaps the most relevant personality attribute possessed
by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was his willingness to serve.
His great eloquence, endurance, patience, and love were
indeed forces that drove his work. Then again, the fact that
he offered his life to benefit not only the cause of his people,
but of mankind’s, speaks about his consciousness of his role
as a servant. Serving encompasses self-denial, and courage.
King explained that the ultimate purpose of serving is a
commitment to others. He wanted to serve “not for any
selfish reason…not in terms of any political kingdom or
ambition.”
N O N - V I O L E N C E
King used nonviolence as a tactical theory, an alternative,
and as a creative force. He said, “nonviolent resistance
causes no explosions of anger, it does not instigate riots, it
controls anger and releases it under discipline for maximum
effect.” As an alternative King said: “It isn’t a method of
cowardice or stagnant passivity; it does resist… It does not
seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win its
friendship and understanding.” As a creative force, King
believed nonviolence “channelizes discontent… and saves it
from degenerating into hatred and bitterness. And this is the
beauty of nonviolence. It says you can struggle without
hating…”
D I R E C T A C T I O N
In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King explained that “in a
nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps.” Step four is
direct action (the first three are: collection of facts,
negotiation, and self-purification.) He made clear that the
goal of direct action is negotiation. “Direct action seeks to
create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that
a community that has constantly refused to negotiate is
forced to confront the issue. It seeks to dramatize the issue
that it can no longer be ignored.” King not only realized that
the plight of his people was something that couldn’t be put
on hold or could wait, but that direct action was a must, and
he acted accordingly
The life and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to
inspire the struggle for freedom and social justice. His
dedication to a cause inherently related to human dignity
goes beyond ethnicity and race, and it can be applied to
attempt to resolve some of our most difficult current social
issues. But as he is honored throughout the nation every
third Monday of January, we must not reduce his contribution
to humanity to just the celebration of his birthday, the
marches, and other celebrations. The benefit of his
immeasurable work is too valuable to limit it to just one day.
| The first edition of “Why We Can’t Wait,” a 1963 book that developed from King’s famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Photo: Eduardo Barraza |
| “A Testament of Hope” and “I Have Dream,” two books containing King’s most memorable writings and speeches. Photo: Eduardo Barraza |
| three essential principles |
Lessons on Leadership and Service
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| King on the Internet |
The King Center
The King Center is the official, living memorial
dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of America’s greatest
nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace.
Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site consists
of several buildings surrounding Martin Luther King,
Jr.'s boyhood home on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet
Auburn district of Atlanta, Georgia. Ebenezer Baptist
Church, the church where King and his father Martin
Luther King, Sr. ministered.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education
Institute
The King Institute at Stanford University seeks to
ensure that King's ideas and ideals will benefit future
generations. The Institute's endowment supports
research and educational programs that contribute to
public understanding of King's life and of the
movements inspired by his message of peace with
social justice.
National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum offers a
comprehensive overview of the civil rights movement
in exhibit form. It is an educational institution
designed to help visitors understand the civil rights
movement and how this movement impacted
movements for social rights worldwide.
The King Center is the official, living memorial
dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of America’s greatest
nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace.
Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site consists
of several buildings surrounding Martin Luther King,
Jr.'s boyhood home on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet
Auburn district of Atlanta, Georgia. Ebenezer Baptist
Church, the church where King and his father Martin
Luther King, Sr. ministered.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education
Institute
The King Institute at Stanford University seeks to
ensure that King's ideas and ideals will benefit future
generations. The Institute's endowment supports
research and educational programs that contribute to
public understanding of King's life and of the
movements inspired by his message of peace with
social justice.
National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum offers a
comprehensive overview of the civil rights movement
in exhibit form. It is an educational institution
designed to help visitors understand the civil rights
movement and how this movement impacted
movements for social rights worldwide.
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a Christian minister who led the civil rights movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1963. Dr. King earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Morehouse College, his Bachelor of Divinity from Crozier Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of philosophy from Boston University. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. |
| A mural in Kansas City, Missouri, honoring the late civil rights leader. |
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2007 All rights reserved. webmaster@hisi.org |
| A biography telling the life story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his leadership in the civil rights movement Written in graphic-novel format. To order this book, call the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues at 480 - 983-1445 or e-mail at: books@hisi.org Visit HISI's Cultural Literature page |
Martin Luther King, JR: Great Civil Rights Leader
| Reading Level: Grades 3-4 Interest Level: Grades 3-9 Softcover, 32pp $7.95 + s/h |
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2005, 2007 |