How much of an Effect did the Assassination of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. today in 1968 have on American Society?

2016-04-04T10:31:22-04:00

Today in 1968 we lost a great man in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I strongly believe he is the GREATEST Civil Rights Leader of our Time. His life was cut way too short. Even in his death, he still has a profound effect on American Society. Had he been alive today, how much of an Impact would he still have today?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2016 10:34 AM

2016-04-04T10:34:13-04:00

I think he may have had less of an impact. His assassination served as a wake up call to many. His importance in history may have continued to rise, but I don't think it would have hit the level it did without the assassination.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Apr 4 at 2016 10:46 AM

2016-04-04T10:46:59-04:00

It had a very bad effect on this country. Incalculable.

Response by SFC Wade W. made Apr 4 at 2016 11:07 AM

2016-04-04T11:07:11-04:00

The loss of Dr. King was a tragedy especially to those who were following him but it was also a catalyst of his call. The movement he started would have most likely moved at a much slower pace but with Dr. King's assassination he became I martyr. None of us know the real reason for his murder but I do believe the people who wanted him dead did not anticipate the outcome. They created a much bigger man with a bigger influence through his death. If he would have lived to a ripe old age I don't think he would have had the effect that he did.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Apr 4 at 2016 12:17 PM

2016-04-04T12:17:56-04:00

I have to agree with John. Like with Kennedy, MLK's assassination some how made his life stand for more. I cant help but think he would have a fit with the way people that where in his inner circle have used his to make money. Al Sharpton claims to be one of those, when in fact its all about the money to him.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 4 at 2016 2:46 PM

2016-04-04T14:46:01-04:00

SPC Andrew Griffin It is impossible to say what would have transpired if Dr. Martin Luther King had not been assassinated and had lived to a ripe old age. One thing I do think would have been different is that the likes of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Barack Obama would not have nearly the impact they have now. MLK was all about equality and peaceful implementation of his dream, not about the divisiveness preached by the folks previously mentioned. He would certainly not be a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, at least not since it has been hijacked by radicals.

In short, I think our country would be a much better place today had he not been taken from us.

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made Apr 4 at 2016 4:55 PM

2016-04-04T16:55:34-04:00

SPC Andrew Griffin SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas LTC Stephen F. CPT Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL It is hard to say the actual impact of MLK's death at the time on this 12 year old and his classmates at Notre Dame catholic grammar school.

But I remember clearly the nuns crying when JFK was shot that November day. College and professional Quarterback Hugh Millen Jr was born that day Senior worked for me in Germany.

There was a lot of racial tension in many New Jersey High Schools during the 70s which was made worse by the radicals espousing violent unrest like the Black Panthers counter to the reverend's peaceful teachings.

The Army was also dealing with a lot of racial-tension and drug abuse well into the 80s

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 4 at 2016 5:07 PM

2016-04-04T17:07:53-04:00

From my memory the assassination of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. shocked the nation but the response was not as deep or as unified as the death of assassination of POTUS JFK in 1963 SPC Andrew Griffin. I was only 11 at the time and living outside of Philadelphia where racial tension was displayed every now and then. Many grieved but some believed he got what he deserved. My parents grieved his loss and I did not really understood the depths of the racial tension in those days.
Thanks for tagging me SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 4 at 2016 7:09 PM

2016-04-04T19:09:33-04:00

I think a lot. He was able to soothe the fires in many African Americans while pushing for change. He definitely had Imperial Powers.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2016 7:21 PM

2016-04-04T19:21:36-04:00

Dr King had a huge impact on the US. I think the assassination magnified it.

Things were very different then. Many automatically would reject of minimize what he said or did, because he was, after all, just one of them.

The assassination took away the invalid arguments and his words and deed took on more meaning.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Apr 4 at 2016 11:34 PM

2016-04-04T23:34:40-04:00

The negative tone of the nation would be not be present. Rather, an upbeat country would exist today.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Apr 12 at 2016 6:47 AM

2016-04-12T06:47:49-04:00

Perhaps MLK's martyrdom helped to wake up the American public to its racist past and policies. Not to imply that now we've "arrived". I should add that my experience in the military regarding race relations was overall very positive. When someone moved next door on post, we only wanted to know 2 things: their unit and rank. Race was overall a non-issue to most people I knew.