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Martin Luther King, Jr.: Three Essential Principles of Leadership
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.
Service
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.”
Non-Violence
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…”
Direct Action
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.
Web Resources
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 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.
Service
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.”
Non-Violence
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…”
Direct Action
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.
Web Resources
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.
By the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues January 11, 2009
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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.
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.
Related Links
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| The first edition of “Why We Can’t Wait,” a 1963 book that developed from King’s famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” |
| “A Testament of Hope” and “I Have Dream,” two books containing King’s most memorable writings and speeches. |