5 Things You Should Know About Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King was arrested nearly 30 times.

According to the King Center, Martin Luther King Jr. experienced incarceration on a total of 29 occasions. His arrests were primarily associated with civil violations and unfounded charges. One noteworthy instance was in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was detained for engaging in a peaceful protest. This specific act of civil disobedience resulted in the famous letter that passionately defended the resistance efforts of African Americans.

He was Michael before he was Martin.

MLK?was?born as?Michael King Jr. on January 15, 1929. His father, a pastor at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, embarked on a transformative journey to Germany in 1934. It was during this sojourn that he found inspiration in the ideals of the Protestant Reformation leader, Martin Luther. Captivated by this influence, King Sr. made a profound decision to alter not only his name but also that of his 5-year-old son, marking the beginning of a legacy that would later be synonymous with the iconic figure we know today as Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King started college at the age of 15 at Morehouse College

Morehouse College, the alma mater of his father and maternal grandfather. It was said Dr. King skipped the 9th and 12th grades. He graduated with a degree in Sociology.

MLK got his Ph.D. at Boston University at the age of 26

In 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. attained a Doctor of Philosophy in Systemic Theology. The focus of his dissertation was a thorough exploration titled “A Comparison of the Conceptions of God in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman.” This academic achievement marked a significant milestone in MLK's educational journey, showcasing his profound engagement with theological discourse.

MLK knew the struggle for integration would ultimately become a struggle for economic rights

Dr. King's close friend Harry Belafonte (American singer/ actor), stated in an interview that King knew integration would not be enough.

According to Belafonte, King acknowledged, “I’ve come upon something that disturbs me deeply. We have fought hard and long for integration, as I believe we should have, and I know we will win, but I have come to believe that we are integrating into a burning house. I’m afraid that America has lost the moral vision she may have had, and I’m afraid that even as we integrate, we are walking into a place that does not understand that this nation needs to be deeply concerned with the plight of the poor and disenfranchised. Until we commit ourselves to ensure that the underclass is given justice and opportunity, we will continue to perpetuate the anger and violence that tears the soul of this nation. I fear I am integrating my people into a burning house.”

Belafonte continued, “That statement took me aback. It was the last thing I would have expected to hear, considering the nature of our struggle.”

Belafonte said he asked King, “What should we do?” and King replied that we should, “become the firemen.” King said, “Let us not stand by and let the house burn.”

Thank you for reading! Happy MLK Day!

Sources:

Chambers, B. (2020, January 15). 5 things you didn't know about Martin Luther King Jr. Retrieved from https://www.ajc.com/news/national/things-you-didn-know-about-martin-luther-king/1egm85FrXJzWRIWyWaiccP/

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: 'I fear I am integrating my people into a burning house'. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2017/jan/12/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-i-fear-i-am-integrating-m/

Klein, C. (2013, April 4). 10 Things You May Not Know About Martin Luther King Jr. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-martin-luther-king-jr

The March That Led to MLK's Arrest and Famous Letter. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/history/the-march-that-led-to-mlks-arrest-and-famou/