Martin Luther KingMartin Luther King was a pacifist who believed in the non-violent promotion of black civil rights. He was both preacher and orator and, whether approached as a ‘talking head’ or through interactive story telling we try to paraphrase his own words for KS1 & 2 understanding, while losing as little of their power as possible.
The son of a preacher, Martin Luther King grew up in the segregated South before attending college in the less discriminatory North. Once qualified as a minister, he did not give in to the temptation of staying where life was easier, reasoning that he should be where he was needed the most.
He was active in some of the most famous civil rights campaigns, from the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955 to his death in 1968. He organized non-violent action in some of the most defiantly segregated cities, such as Birmingham, Alabama and met both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and faced threats of violent death on many occasions.
In looking at King’s life we highlight the difference between not trying to resist and passionate nonviolent resistance and look at the formidable results of a passionate adherence to the latter. King’s speeches had extraordinary impact, containing powerful messages and a large part of our aim is to open his message up to young minds; that it takes courage to stand up and be counted but that when enough people do it mountains can be moved.
Suitable for:Key Stage 1 & 2CurriculumIn addition to contributing directly to a greater understanding of Black History, this piece also supports Citizenship, Units 5, 7, 8 and History Unit 20NB: This piece uses a few PowerPoint images to support Martin Luther’s story. Return from
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"A man can't ride your back unless it's bent."
Martin Luther King Jnr