Essay about Who Killed Martin Luther King - 2620 Words

Scratching the Surface, Not Driving in Bullets or: Why White People are Such Morons A great number of people know who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was. My generation has had the opportunity to learn about his work in the civil rights movement and his â€Å"I have a Dream† speech as early as elementary school. I’d venture to say that a fewer amount of people know that this icon was assassinated and James Earl Ray, a white man, was arrested as his killer. Unfortunately, an even smaller number of people have heard of, or have read about a remarkable civil rights writer named James Baldwin. Determining whom killed Martin Luther King seems to still be an issue because of the guilt of the white man. If white men were properly educated, there†¦show more content†¦Unfortunately soon after the march began rioting and fires were quick to follow. The police even killed a seventeen year old boy a midst the chaos (Wexler 249). Determined to show this city that it was possible to a have non-violent march, King extends his stay (Wexler 249). King was originally staying at a high-class hotel called the Rivermont, but after some FBI agents allegedly â€Å"discussed leaking the news that King was staying in a white establishment, to embarrass him,† King changed where he was staying (McKinley 175). Some speculate that his new hotel was suggested so he could reside in an area where he could be more easily killed. King decided to spend the duration of his stay in a much less secure motel called the Lorraine. There are many conspiracy theories regarding King’s assassination. A source I have on King’s assassination that was copyrighted in the 70s makes it seem like after the failure of the march that King had gone back to Atlanta and the people requested King’s return and he agreed. The source I have that was published in the 90s made it seem more like King was individually determined to show that he could successfully hold a non-violent march in Memphis. I don’t know how terribly valuable this discrepancy is, but I think it’s important to note that as time passes King may at times be portrayed in an even more saintly light due to his being assassinated. In eitherShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther King Jr Essay1299 Words   |  6 PagesWhy was Martin Luther King Jr. such an inspiration to African Americans in America? Martin Luther King Jr. was an American minister, Civil Rights leader, and activist who had a strong belief in nonviolent protests (history. com; Martin Luther King Jr.). He was the leader behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington which were eventually effective and a law was passed to end racial discrimination (history.com; Martin Luther King Jr.). 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