Turlock Junior High students recognized Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by researching the Civil Rights leader's life and his impact on American history. Below are just a few of the essays.
BY DOMINIC SEGOVIA ALVAREZ
8th grade, Turlock Junior High
Imagine you’re a colored kid and you can’t eat, drink, sleep and use the restrooms where there is a sign that says “whites only.” He was an African American who made Civil Rights, rights. He also helped an African American lady named Rosa Parks.
Martin Luther King, Jr. made a huge impact on the Civil Rights movement, family, problems, and Civil Rights.
After finishing his first book and making a trip to India, King returned to the United States in 1960 to become a pastor with his father. Martin had skipped the ninth and twelfth grades because of his high score on the college entrance examinations test to Morehouse College.
He attended Booker T. High School. Martin began school at five years old at Yonge Street Elementary School (The King Center).
King was threatened, hit, kicked, stabbed, jailed, and arrested. His house was fired bombed and crosses were burned on his lawn; but he never lost his faith in the power of truth and love.
While standing outside with Jesse Jackson and Ralph Abernathy, King was shot in the neck by a rifle bullet. His death caused a wave of violence in major cities across the country.
King led a peaceful protest against the institution of whites-only water fountain, lunch counters, waiting rooms, and restrooms. “We must use the weapon of love. We must have compassion and understanding for those who hate us.”
His first Civil Rights leadership role, in the Montgomery bus boycott, proved to be a test of his belief that change could come without violence. Later that year King was a principal speaker at the historic March on Washington, where he delivered one of the most passionate addresses of his career.
Martin Luther King made a huge impact on the Civil Rights movement. He will always be remembered for what he did for many years.
BY MARISSA LUNA8th grade, Turlock Junior High
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very important man who changed the world, and he will be missed. Martin was born on Tuesday, January 15, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia. He also became a pastor like his father. Martin Luther King, Jr. made a huge impact on black history because of his family, his education, and the problems he faced in life.
Martin was a very lovable person and loved to be around his family. When Martin was little, his grandma was his favorite person to be with. Martin’s parents were Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta W. King. He had two siblings, Christine King Farris and Alfred Daniel William King. Martin also had four kids, Yolanda, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott and Bernica. Martin cared about his family very much and wasn’t going to let anything come in between them.
Martin was also very smart as a kid and he loved school. When Martin was young his mom taught him and his brother and sister how to read. When he was in high school he graduated at age 15. He was in high school for only two years. After high school, Martin became popular for his “I have a dream” speech. Martin loved to read, tell speeches and go to school.
Dr. King faced a lot of problems in his life, and most of them are very violent and hurtful. Martin’s house was fire bombed and crosses were burned on his lawn and yet he never lost faith in the power of peace and love. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was beaten, threatened, hit, kicked, stabbed, and arrested, but that still didn’t stop him from doing anything until one day, on April 4, he was shot and killed by a man named James Earl Ray. James was sentenced 99 years in prison.
Martin Luther King, Jr. made a huge impact on black history because of his family, his education, and the problems he faced in life. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be missed very much for many more years because he was very important in the world.
BY SHIMEN YOUNAN
8th grade, Turlock Junior HighMartin Luther King, Jr. was a true American hero, which changed things in peace. He was an African-American that followed in his father’s footsteps. He also faced lots of difficulties throughout his life. Martin Luther King, Jr. made a huge impact on black history because of his childhood, education, struggles and accomplishments.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He was the first son, but the second child born in his family. His parents were Alberta and Martin Luther King. Martin also had two siblings, Christine king Farris and Alfred Daniel Williams Kings. When Martin was born they named him Michael but later on his grandfather changed his name to Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin’s favorite person to talk to was his grandma. He would always talk to her and express his feelings with her. As years passed by Martin met and married Coretta Scott in Boston on June 18, 1953. Martin and Coretta had four children.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was very smart in school. He went to David-T Howard elementary school. He also graduated from high school at age 15 because he was very smart and he only needed to go to high school for two years. He received a B.A degree in 1948 from Morehouse College. Martin loved reading and giving speeches. He also received a PhD degree in systematic theology from Boston University.
Martin Luther King, Jr. faced lots of struggles in his life, but at the same time he made lots of accomplishments. Martin was the leader of the Civil Rights movement. He was arrested 30 times for his participation in the Civil Rights movement. His house was bombed and he was assassinated on April 4, 1966. Martin Luther King, Jr. also did all he could to make people realize “All men are created equal.” He also received the Noble Peace prize at age 35 in Oslo, Norway.
Martin Luther King, Jr. made a huge impact on black history because of his childhood, education, struggles and accomplishments. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be remembered for many years. His birthday in now observed as a national holiday on the third Monday of January.
