Famous thinkers essays examples

Martin Luther King Jr. Contributions

A major contribution of Martin Luther King was the fight for equality among the black and white people in America. He advocated against racism, and promoted equal voting rights among the black and white people. Racial segregation in the public transport stopped because of his dedication to see equal treatment of all black people in America. In fighting for the rights of the Black American, Martin Luther King advocated and used peaceful demonstrations (non-violent demonstrations), which were effective and showed the world that demonstrations need not be violent.

Personal, Social, and Political Environment

Martin Luther King was brought up in the south were racial segregation and abuse was very high. He dreamed of a day where he would make friends not based on the color of the skin. Raised in an activist family, King grew up knowing what it meant to fight for one’s right. Growing up as a black person and seeing the level of treatment of the black community helped shape Martin Luther’s ideological aspect of his identity crises, which was critical in the development of his creativity (Anderson, Carter, and Lowe, 2007). Additionally, Martin Luther King was a theologian by profession and this guided his life journey. In whatever, he did he applied theological and biblical principles in the fight for equality. Martin Luther King got inspiration from Rosa Park’s act of courage to refuse to offer a seat to a white person (Zastrow, and Kirst-Ashman, 2010). This was a major part of the Civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King. The actions of Rosa Park led to the abolishment of the segregation laws in Montgomery.

Problems that Martin Luther King sought to solve, solutions, and implementation of ideas

Martin Luther king helped to show the effectiveness of non-violent demonstrations. Additionally, Martin Luther King addressed the problem of equality in voting and racial discrimination. Black Americans did not vote in most parts in the south, which had with segregation laws.

Martin Luther King’s Creative Process of Thinking

Martin Luther King’s creative process mainly depended on the biblical teachings. In the civil rights movements and speeches he made, Martin Luther King advocated for the love of all humanity and the fact that all human beings were made in the image of God, thus the idea of equality. King obtained most of his strength in his faith.

A critique of their Ideas

Both Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King advocated for a nonviolent approach to oppression. Both their approaches were morally correct as it promoted non-violence in the fight for justice and equality.

Nelson Mandela’s Contributions

Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter who spearheaded the introduction of equality between the blacks and whites in South Africa. He made a major contribution to the end of apartheid. This was especially towards the end of the colonial period when Africans in South Africa suffered discrimination. He served a prison sentence for 27 years due to the cause that he believed in. He then became the nation’s first president in 1994. He further demonstrated his love for the nation, over and above his personal ambition, by serving for only one term. This is as opposed to other African presidents who refuse to let go of the prestigious sit despite age constraints (Limb, 2008).
Personal, Social, and Political Environment
Mandela was a strong advocate of peace, and not merely black empowerment. He believed that the whole nation ought to rise above racism and discrimination in the upholding of unity. This was at a time when there were political and economic strains in South Africa. Socially, the blacks and whites had separate schools and other institutions. The political wrangles involved power struggles as the blacks sought to attain independence from the colonial rule. Mandela became an instrumental figure that signified the ability of blacks to rise to power. Moreover, he showed true leadership by not turning his years of suffering in prison into hatred for the whites. This was through advocating for equality and peace in the new and independent nation, and even after his political term as president.

Problems, Solutions and Implementation

Nelson Mandela sought to bring equality and solve the problem of apartheid through the formation of a democracy that was multicultural. He continued to advocate for the spirit of forgiveness throughout the country in the spirit of reconciliation and nation building. He reiterated that leaving bygones to be bygones was the only way to achieve progress. The implementation of these ideas was in the peaceful negotiations he had with the outgoing white government and the lack of resentment (Brown and Hort, 2006).

Mandela’s Creative Process of Thinking

Mandela was a custodian of justice and he had the deep desire to see equality and unity reigning supreme over segregation and hatred. His creative process ignited from his law teachings and a deep sense of optimism in his look towards life in general. His contribution towards the end of apartheid earned him admiration from the rest of the world.

A Critique of Mandela’s Ideas

Mandela’s approach was very convenient and prevented a huge war in South Africa. Otherwise, serious consequences like genocide and massive killings based on race would have occurred.

References

Anderson, R. E., Carter, I. E., & Lowe, G. (2007). Human behavior in the social environment: A
social systems approach. New Brunswick, N. J: Aldine Transaction
Zastrow, C., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2010). Understanding human behavior and the social
environment. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
Limb, P. (2008). Nelson Mandela: A biography. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Brown, L., & Hort, L. (2006). Nelson Mandela. New York: DK Pub.