Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 -1968) can be described as a minister, political activist, and civil rights organizer. In fact, he can easily be considered the most famous leader of the Civil Rights Movement.

At the age of thirty-five, Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as a peacemaker and promoter of nonviolence. Did you know that he was the youngest man to have been given this distinguished award?

In this Internet Challenge, you will learn more about King and his legacy. Let’s begin our online adventure.

 

Our first Web site, The King Center- Martin Luther King, Jr. Biography, is located at http://www.thekingcenter.org/mlk/bio.html

 

Read closely through this biography to learn more about this famous American. After you read, answer the following questions.

1.  In the opening sentence, King is described as “a vital figure of the modern era”. Which word below is an antonym for vital?

a. necessary

b. unimportant

c. crucial

d. fundamental

 

2.  Dr. King skipped two grades in high school. As a result, he entered college at the age of fifteen.

a. True

b. False

 

3.  Describe Martin Luther King, Jr.’s experience at Crozer Theological Seminary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  What was Martin Luther King, Jr’s role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

 

 

 

 

 

5.  On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was shot and killed by James Earl Ray. Did Ray act alone in this assassination?

 

 

 

 

 

6.  In your own words, explain why you think Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  One of King’s many attributes was his public speaking gift. In 1963, he delivered the “March on Washington” (also known as “I Have a Dream”) speech. Briefly describe King’s dream.

What did he want to see happen in America?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great start!

 

Now let’s continue learning at The King Center and read Six Principles of Nonviolence, located at http://www.thekingcenter.org/king-philosophy#sub2 and Six Steps of Nonviolent Social Change located at http://www.thekingcenter.org/king-philosophy#sub3.

 

Read this page and discover more about Martin Luther King, Jr’s philosophy of nonviolence, and then continue answering these questions.

 

8.  One of the principles of the nonviolence philosophy is purging feelings of __________________.

a. hate

b. scorn

c. animosity

d. all of the above

 

9.  Explain how nonviolence works against one’s adversaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.  Ultimately, those that practice nonviolence hope to destroy their opponents and not win their friendship.

a. True

b. False

 

11.  Can you apply Dr. King’s nonviolence teachings to your own life? Can you solve a conflict between a sibling or an adversary at school without using violence? Describe ways in which you can accomplish this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.  Dr. King’s practice of nonviolence included a commitment for unconditional love. Which word below is a synonym for unconditional?

a. imperfect

b. unrestricted

c. incomplete

d. limited

 

 

Excellent!

 

 

Next, let’s visit Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Patriotism site. Read about the history of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at http://www.patriotism.org/mlk/, and then answer the following questions.

 

13.  In which year did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day become an official holiday?

a. 1986

b. 1992

c. 1984

d. 1948

 

14.  How many years did the lobbying effort span before President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating this official holiday?

 

 

 

 

 

Super!

 

 

Now read about The Meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, written by his widow, Coretta Scott King. Go to http://www.thekingcenter.org/meaning-king-holiday.

Read this page, and then answer the remaining questions.

 

15.  After reading the text, what do you find to be the most important idea of Dr. King’s to commemorate?

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.  Imagine that Dr. King were alive today. What would he think of America today from an equality point of view? Do people still judge each other based on skin color instead of character? If so, what are other ways people are judged? Explain.

 

 

 

 

More than 50 years later, we read and re-read many of Dr. King’s speeches and apply them to our lives in the 21^st Century. Read this interesting article about “the story behind his ‘I have a Dream’ Speech” located at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/martin-luther-king-dream-speech-history.

 

17. Do you agree or disagree with the points this author made? If you were to write a blog-style response to his article, what would you say?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extension Activity - Choose one or all of them!

* On November 13, 2006, there was a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. Much like the official holiday in his honor, this memorial will commemorate the life and work of Dr. King.

The memorial will honor his national and international contributions to world peace through non-violent social change. Visit http://www.aptv.org/Press/detail.asp?PressID=119 at http://www.aptv.org/Press/detail.asp?PressID=119 tolearn more about this project.

 

* The Iraq War began in March of 2003 with the invasion of Iraq led by the United States. Many years and countless America casualties later, this war still persists. What would Dr. King think about this war? Imagine what advice he may have given regarding the invasion and the continued warfare. Take some time online to research timelines of this war and the latest news surrounding America’s involvement in Iraq and the Middle East. In an open letter to America, write a letter as if you are Dr. King sharing your thoughts about the Iraq War.

 

_________________

Congratulations! You have done an excellent job in completing this month’s Internet Challenge.

 

 

Answers to January’s Internet Challenge.

1.  b

2.  a

3.  Students’ answers will vary. King had a spectacular experience at Crozer. He was class president and valedictorian. In addition, he won the Peral Plafkner Award as the most outstanding student and received a fellowship for graduate study at a university of his choice.

4.  King had an important role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He was elected President of the Montgomery Improvement Association, the organization that was responsible for the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. This boycott lasted from 1955 to 1956 (381 days).

5.  Initially, it seemed as though James Earl Ray acted alone. However, in 1999, a jury of twelve concluded that Loyd Jowers and other government agencies, including the City of Memphis, the State of Tennessee and the federal government were all guilty of plotting to assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

6.  Students’ answers will vary. Many people, especially in the South, did not like King’s message and did not want to see equality for all.

7.  King wanted to see equality for everyone. He wanted all people to be accepted, regardless of their skin color or religious affiliation.

8.  d

9.  Students’ answers will vary. Basically, nonviolence supporters set an example of emotional maturity by choosing not to fight anger with anger. Instead of demonstrating negative energy through violence and petty arguments, nonviolent supporters would redirect this aggression into a loving, positive attitude. This is how nonviolence disarms adversaries.

10. b

11. Students’ answers will vary.

12. b

13. a

14. The span was 15 years.

15. Students’ answers will vary. Many answers may include King’s passion for equality, his character, nonviolence tactics, his courage to stand up for his beliefs, and his zeal to serve others.

16. Students’ answers will vary.

Extension Activities – Students’ own work.