Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: His Influences and Those He Influenced

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Influential Figures in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was deeply influenced by several individuals whose ideas, actions, and philosophies shaped his worldview and leadership in the civil rights movement. Here are some of the most notable figures:

  1. Mahatma Gandhi
    • Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha) profoundly influenced Dr. King. Gandhi’s success in leading India to independence through peaceful civil disobedience inspired King to adopt nonviolence as the cornerstone of the civil rights movement in the United States. King once said, “Gandhi was the guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change”.
  2. Jesus Christ
    • As a Baptist minister, King was deeply rooted in Christian theology. He drew inspiration from Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek. These principles underpinned his commitment to nonviolence and his belief in the moral power of love to overcome hate.
  3. Henry David Thoreau
    • Thoreau’s essay Civil Disobedience introduced King to the idea of resisting unjust laws through nonviolent means. King admired Thoreau’s argument that individuals have a moral duty to disobey laws that are unjust.
  4. Ralph Waldo Emerson
    • Emerson’s writings on self-reliance and individualism resonated with King, particularly in his belief that individuals could bring about social change through moral courage and personal responsibility.
  5. Howard Thurman
    • Thurman, a theologian and mentor to King, emphasized the importance of spirituality in social justice. His book Jesus and the Disinherited provided a theological framework for King’s activism, focusing on the empowerment of oppressed communities.
  6. Benjamin E. Mays
    • Mays, the president of Morehouse College, was a mentor to King and instilled in him the importance of education, leadership, and moral integrity. Mays’ emphasis on social justice and equality deeply influenced King’s vision for the civil rights movement
  7. A. Philip Randolph
    • Randolph, a labor leader and civil rights activist, inspired King with his organizational skills and commitment to racial equality. Randolph’s leadership in the March on Washington Movement demonstrated the power of collective action.
  8. Bayard Rustin
    • Rustin was a key advisor to King and helped him strategize the use of nonviolent protest. Rustin’s organizational skills were instrumental in planning events like the 1963 March on Washington.
  9. Paul Tillich
    • Tillich, a theologian, influenced King’s understanding of existentialism and the role of faith in addressing social injustice. His writings helped King articulate the moral and spiritual dimensions of the civil rights struggle.
  10. Reinhold Niebuhr
    • Niebuhr’s philosophy of Christian realism influenced King’s understanding of the complexities of human nature and the necessity of confronting evil through collective action.

10 People Whose Lives Were Changed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King’s leadership and vision inspired countless individuals to take action for justice and equality. Here are ten people whose lives were directly influenced by him:

  1. John Lewis
    • Lewis, a young activist during the civil rights movement, was inspired by King’s leadership and became a prominent figure in the movement. He later served as a U.S. Congressman, continuing King’s legacy of fighting for civil rights.
  2. Rosa Parks
    • Parks credited King’s leadership and the Montgomery Bus Boycott with giving her the courage to stand up against racial injustice, which sparked the modern civil rights movement.
  3. Andrew Young
    • Young worked closely with King in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and later became a U.S. Congressman, ambassador to the United Nations, and mayor of Atlanta.
  4. James Lawson
    • Lawson, a key figure in the civil rights movement, was inspired by King’s commitment to nonviolence and became a leading trainer in nonviolent resistance.
  5. Coretta Scott King
    • As King’s wife, Coretta was deeply influenced by his vision and continued his work after his assassination, becoming a prominent activist for civil rights and peace.
  6. Barack Obama
    • While Obama was born after the height of the civil rights movement, he often cited King’s work as a source of inspiration for his own journey into public service and his vision for a more inclusive America.
  7. Jesse Jackson
    • Jackson was a close associate of King and became a prominent civil rights leader in his own right, founding the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to continue King’s work.
  8. Bernice King
    • King’s youngest daughter, Bernice, was inspired by her father’s legacy and became a minister and advocate for nonviolence and social justice.
  9. Oprah Winfrey
    • Winfrey has often spoken about how King’s work paved the way for her success as a Black woman in media and inspired her commitment to philanthropy and social justice.
  10. Nelson Mandela
    • Mandela, though leading the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, was inspired by King’s philosophy of nonviolence and his fight against racial oppression.

Dr. King’s influence extended far beyond these individuals, shaping the course of history and inspiring millions worldwide to work for justice, equality, and peace.

Why Nonviolence? Choices Now: Tyranny or Revolution

Project 2025 Update

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See how democracy is lost. watch to the end.

Then click here for for strategies to protect our democratic institutions.

Kids Who Found Something They Can Do

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THEIR MISSION

Riders for Race Amity is a biking initiative dedicated to fostering racial healing and unity. Cyclists journey from Madison, WI to Montgomery, Alabama, visiting historical sites and engaging in Restorative Justice Circles along the way. By promoting dialogue, reflection, and action, the ride raises awareness of racial biases and connects participants with the principles of the Copper to Gold program. Through community engagement and meaningful conversations, Riders for Race Amity strives to build bridges across racial divides and inspire lasting change.

To learn more and help support these young people creating unity go the their website:

Riders for Race Amity

We all should create more amity in our lives. For an article about the concept of amity CLICK HERE.

CORE’s Rules for Direct Action

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CORE’s (Congress of Racial Equality) Rules for Direct Action became a model for nonviolent resistance worldwide. Their emphasis on preparation, discipline, and moral clarity ensured that their actions were both effective and ethically grounded. These principles continue to influence modern social movements, from environmental activism to racial justice campaigns. By combining strategic planning with cultural tools, CORE and similar organizations demonstrated the power of nonviolence in achieving systemic change.

CORE’S Rules for Direct Action full article CLICK HERE

History and Influence of CORE article CLICK HERE

Potential Solutions to Key Social Justice Challenges

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Social justice is a complex and multifaceted challenge, but solutions are possible through systemic reforms, grassroots activism, and cultural shifts. By addressing inequality, promoting equity, and fostering inclusivity, we can create a more just and equitable society for all. These solutions require collaboration across sectors, sustained advocacy, and a commitment to the principles of human rights and dignity.

For full article CLICK HERE

“We’re All in This Together” ?

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Since Trump’s second election I have been hearing talk that “We’re all in this together”.

Ultimately, the true meaning of “all” lies not in its historical usage but in the ongoing efforts to make it **genuinely inclusive**—a call to action for continued progress in the pursuit of justice.

Let’s talk about this word “all”. What is your context? CLICK HERE for follow up.

Something You Can Do

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Spokane, like many cities in the United State has seen its share of protests over the years. And year after year thousands show up at the Martin Luther King Rally and March. Who’s who of Black Spokane will show up. Black organizations and community centers show up. Church groups show up. Local press shows up. Politicians show up. They are ethnically and economically diverse. In 2011 there was a bomb found along the MLK March route. For the following year thousands more turned out for the march.

One of the current cliches is that we are all in it together. But how is this expressed in terms of social justice? In the constitution it says liberty and justice for all, but Blacks were counted as only 3/5ths of a person. The diversity of the nation has increased through immigration but we still all live in our silos and everyone was not and is not considered equal. One of most segregated organizations are our churches. But now when we are on the verge of a tyranny when everyone is losing their rights suddenly we are all in it together. But our protests are still segregated. The only diverse marches and rallies here in Spokane are the Martin Luther King rally and march in January of each year.

Thousands Turn Out in Spokane and The Nation

Our protests are not diverse. Think of these examples:

Civil Rights Movement (1960s -1970s)
Vietnam War Protests (1960s -1970s)
Environmental Movements (1970s – present)
Indigenous Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Black Lives Matter (2010s – present)
Protest Anti-Semitism
Protest Anti-Muslim
Open Housing
Homeless Rights
Economic and Labor Protests
Anti-Trump Protests
Women’s March

How do we all work together? When people leave the meetings and rallies they return to their homogeneous communities. Check out the following links for things that can be done in-between the significant emotional events of major protests.

198 Methods of Nonviolent Action:

Pass this out at every march, rally and meeting you attend

Practitioners of nonviolent struggle have an entire arsenal of “nonviolent weapons” at their disposal. Listed below are 198 of them, classified into three broad categories: nonviolent protest and persuasion, noncooperation (social, economic, and political), and nonviolent intervention. A description and historical examples of each can be found in volume two of The Politics of Nonviolent Action, by Gene Sharp

If It Doesn’t Affect Me Why Should I Care?

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I haven’t lost my Social Security check yet.

I’ve got health care.

DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) doesn’t affect me.

I’ve got a job.

I’m not an immigrant.

Addressing the question “if it doesn’t affect me directly, why should I care?”, it’s crucial to understand the broader impact of community organizations. Understanding and evaluating community organizations requires a multifaceted approach. By considering their effectiveness, transparency, coalition-building efforts, and legitimacy indicators, you can make informed decisions about which organizations to support and engage with. Remember that while an organization’s impact may not always be immediately apparent to you personally, their work often contributes to broader societal improvements that can benefit everyone in the long term.

For full article We Need Organizations CLICK HERE

Actions and Strategies

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For full article CLICK HERE

IN TIMES OF TRUMP DISMANTLING AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 

Comprehensive Strategies to Regain Control and Protect Democratic Institutions from Systematic Dismantling

# Immediate Action Strategies

The success of these strategies depends on coordinated action across multiple sectors and sustained commitment to democratic principles. The research suggests that combining legal mechanisms, civil society action, and international support provides the most effective approach to protecting and restoring democratic institutions.