Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Made Us Aware of the American Constitution

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior challenged Americans to be fair and objective when relating to persons of different racial backgrounds. He was a modern-day prophet who told the truth without regard for his safety. Doctor kings opinions shaped Americans’ views on race and culture. One of Dr. King’s most significant contributions was his assessment of the American Constitution. He made us aware that the Constitution does not discriminate based on race, color, or creed. The initial writers of the Constitution were very rational, intelligent men who wrote a masterpiece that has withstood the test of time. I believe they had the inspiration of a higher power to write such a splendid document. Still, unfortunately, the rights of men of color and women were not immediately honored by those who wrote the Constitution. The Constitution was ratified on the 21^st of June in 1788 and went into effect on the 4^th of March in 1789. The words of the Constitution honored the rights and privileges of all Americans, but initially, it only protected the rights and privileges of white males. We must remember that the 19^th amendment granted women the right to vote on the 18^th of August in 1920 (one hundred and thirty-two years after the Constitution’s ratification.) The 13^th amendment abolished slavery in 1865, and the 14^th amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States in 1868. In addition, the 15^th amendment gave the right to vote regardless of race, color, or creed in 1870. Yet, nearly 100 years after the ratification of those amendments. The requests and privileges guaranteed in the Constitution remain unrealized for people of color. During the 1950s and ’60s, Dr. King, sister Rosa Parks, and attorney Thurgood Marshall made America aware that the Federal and Local governments had reneged on enforcing the Civil Rights laws embedded in the Constitution. America’s failure to enforce the laws of the land was the reason Dr. King and others launched the Civil Rights movement, which led to the passing of new laws that encouraged Americans to live up to the promises guaranteed in the Constitution for all US citizens. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior emphasized the importance of positive relationships. He wanted Americans to find ways to work with persons of different races. He realized that there was a lot of racial tension within the American family. He tried to relieve racial stress by educating Americans on racial matters and encouraging lawmakers to enforce the letter and the spirit of fairness in the Constitution. A debt of gratitude is owed to Dr. Martin Luther King Junior because he appealed to our consciousness as a nation. He challenged Americans to be serious about being one nation unto God with liberty and justice for all regardless of race, color, or creed.