Martin Luther King Jr. is arguably the most influential American of the past mellenium. He helped to solve one of the biggest problems of American democracy, the continued social inequality for African-Americans. Dr. King's devotion to the Civil Rights movement ensured that many of the prejudices that Americans took for granted during the early 20th century have virtually disappeared in the new mellenium. There are two primary aspects to Dr. King's ideas and life that influenced our perception of social equality.
First, Dr. King showed that racial differences does not imply racial superiority. Pre-dating the Civil Rights movement, the majority of Americans believed that African-Americans were genetically inferior to Caucasions. Not only were they less intelligent, morally bereft, but unequal in the eyes of religion and society. As a result, they were "meant" to be treated unequally by the nature of their race. Dr. King showed that African-Americans were no different in their physical, intellectual and spiritual capacity. Through his strength of character, and the artful manner he executed the Civil Rights movement, Americans changed their views of the African-American race in general. He influenced our perception of what it means to be racially different, and to recognize our similarities more than our differences. This dramatically altered American life and our prejudices, in today's world, racial superiority is seen as ignorant and untolerable.
Another area that Dr. King has changed our prejudices is in redefining our understanding of democracy and liberty. Dr. King's poetic speeches and his magnetic presence left a mark on how we interpret democracy within the United States. Previous to the Civil Rights movement, Americans believed that voting, democratic participation and general social involvement was exclusive to caucasions by right of birth. Dr. King showed that this perspective goes against the fundamentals of our Constitution and the principles our nation was founded under. Through his efforts, we now understand the value of democracy and equality as founding principles for our success.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the society and the fundamental principles of the United States. His composure, wisdom and spirituality became the lynchpin for the success of the Civil Rights movement. He has dramatically reduced our prejudices and reshaped our understanding of racial equality.
