There were many leaders in the civil rights struggle, but martin luther king was more than just the most conspicuous and eloquent among them. Peter ling examines king's leadership role during his campaign for peace and justice. Page 1 of 6

the 'great leader' myth

thanks to the miracle of television, martin luther king junior is vividly remembered as an inspirational speaker, whose leadership was seemingly rooted in oratory. Speeches such as the 'i have a dream' speech at the civil rights march on washington of august 1963 galvanised people of all races, and created an unprecedented bipartisan coalition for anti racist legislation.

King undoubtedly spoke to, and for, african americans, and their mounting challenge to white oppression sprang from hearing his non violent call to arms. When he died the non violent movement seemed unable to continue without him, and this deepened the impression that he was its essential leader. His leadership, however, was always being questioned during his lifetime, and this has continued since his death.

Martin luther king waves to the crowd of more than 200,0 people gathered on the mall during the march on washington, after delivering his 'i have a dream' speech © movement activists, particularly militant black separatists, never saw king as their one great leader. When his lieutenants introduced him as a 'moses' for african americans, for example, it rankled. Hearing wyatt walker, a key aide, introduce king publicly as the people's saviour prompted bob moses of the student non violent coordinating committee sncc to ask: 'don't you think we need lots of leaders?' privately, king's supporters knew that non violence was not an outlook everyone shared, and walker amused king by telling him of how one black virginian had responded to a white bus driver who wanted him to enter his bus by the back door. A massive figure, the man had picked up the driver with one hand and said bluntly: 'know two things.

I can break your neck, and i ain't one of martin luther king's non violent negroes.' 'privately, king's supporters knew that non violence was not an outlook everyone shared. ' this recognition that king's non violent approach was just one tendency within a larger movement and that he was created by the movement, rather than being the creator of it has become a staple of recent scholarship. It was not king but other local figures, for instance, who planned the famous montgomery bus boycott of 1955. The first student protesters of the 1960s sit ins similarly denied that they were following king's orders, and it was the congress of racial equality core , rather than king's southern christian leadership conference sclc , that launched the freedom rides of 1961 and sncc volunteers who ensured their success. Furthermore, when members of the sncc asked king to join them on the ride into mississippi, he pompously declined, saying: 'i think i should choose the time and place of my golgotha'.

Thereafter, they referred to him sarcastically as 'de lawd' and mistrusted a leader who preferred to cheer from the sidelines. January 20, 2014 today, we honor the memory of a visionary leader who changed american culture forever. As many people enjoy this long three day weekend, take some time to really think about the leadership lessons and the legacy that dr. King gave the world that are as important for entrepreneurs today as they were during dr. leadership lesson one: you must have total commitment to your cause dr. His i have a dream speech brought awareness and humanity to the national consciousness about civil rights in america. King's stance on political activism in a non violent way made him a natural leader and an inspirational figure.

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He led a social movement of equality during a time when he wasn't supported by most. But even when he knew his cause was unpopular and his life was in danger, king remained committed to his vision. Are you bringing that kind of total commitment to your cause? i'm not saying to get arrested, but are you bringing that level of intensity and dedication to your work? dr. King also required his leadership team and followers to participate in nonviolent protest. How are you ensuring your values sync up with your actions? leadership lesson two: disrupting the status quo is essential for change dr. King is honored and revered today, but he wasn't embraced by society during his short life.

King knew that his dream of equality even when equality was not popular was more important than the status quo. Sometimes doing things completely different is what's necessary for evolution and innovation. These paradigm shifts are crucial in every aspect of social, cultural and technological change. King never accepted that just because things were a certain way, it made them the right way. How can you shake up the status quo in your industry? how about in your corporate culture or business values? be a leader and set the new standard by changing an outdated status quo in your life. Then communicate it and do it i am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation, spoke dr. Those were tall words for a leader to proclaim across an audience of over 250,0 people.

How effective is a dream if you aren't communicating it? do you have a vision for your company? is it prominently displayed somewhere your staff can easily see? and do you talk about how your actions, campaigns and products back up that vision? dreaming without doing is for childhood. Real leaders have big dreams, take big steps to communicate them, and then they go take big actions! dr. King's actions made him one of the great leaders of the 20th century, time magazine's man of the year in 1963 and a nobel peace prize winner in 1964.

How do you plan to turn your dreaming into doing? by donald spring ii, sixth grader, steubenville city schools essay contest winner. Demonstrated numerous leadership qualities during his fight for equal rights and over the course of history. He showed great courage over his lifetime by challenging the authority with his numerous protests and marches for many issues he believed in.

He took many controversial stands among opposing americans on many issues over history, some of those including equal rights and segregation. He showed determination by never giving up on his fight for equal rights for everyone, and trying to end segregation for all americans. He also was determined to not let what others did, said or called him or any of his family sway his judgment in his fight for equal rights. He showed loyalty by continuing to fight for his beliefs even after numerous arrests and attacks on himself, his family members and followers during the marches and speeches he made in many cities. As well as continuing to protest for equal rights, ever after his home was bombed. Many people have learned great lessons on how to be a leader because of many things he did.

Showed respect and honesty by never resorting to violence even though he had much violence tossed in his face. He believed in nonviolent protests and made sure others followed him in this quest. His greatest leadership quality was integrity, which he showed when he gave his life for what he was fighting for. Therefore no matter what issues i choose to help my community in by being a leader, i would begin by making sure i have many of dr. If i were in a leadership role for changing something in our community, i would make sure that everyone was there during a protest.