The Life and Accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 18, 2025 9:59am

I was at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta earlier this week interviewing Chief Park Ranger Marty Smith. That interview was then edited into a one hour radio documentary about the life and accomplishments of Dr. King, which aired this morning on WPNN Radio in Pensacola.

Dr. King was one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. He dedicated his life to civil rights. He believed that equality among men without regard to skin color could be achieved without violence. Yet violence against him cost him his life. But he accomplished more in his 39 years than most people would accomplish in a hundred. And our nation is far better because he lived.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was taken from us much too soon. But during his lifetime, he saw great Supreme Court victories for civil rights, and he saw legislative victories like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the National Voting Rights Act of 1965. In 1964, at age 35, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At the time, he was the youngest recipient in history. He was martyred in 1968 at age 39.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. Through word and deed he inspired millions of Americans - black and white both - to recognize that all men are indeed created equal. And that it is wrong to judge people by the color of their skin. Like Jesus Christ and Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the world without resorting to violence.

And like Jesus Christ and Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed by his enemies. Dr. King's life was violently and tragically cut short. But the United States of America is far better because he lived. He helped bring about change this country desperately needed. His life story proves that change for good can be brought about - not with violence - but by peacefully changing hearts and minds. And that when good people demand justice, justice will eventually prevail.

Racism of every kind is disgusting and inexcusable. I can think of no human characteristic that is of less importance than race. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, people should be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Dr. King certainly had that. Character. He had decency. Integrity. Dignity. Strength. Tenacity. And the limitless determination to do what's right. I don't think it's hyperbole to say he was one of the greatest people who ever lived. Because he was.

My MLK documentary is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/250118