Martin Luther King Jr - America's Gandhi

     Aside from being one of the most loved and highly regarded civil rights activists in American history, Martin Luther King Jr was a strong believer in peaceful protest.  He led many groups in sit ins and marches all of which were non-violent.  In a way, he led a movement similar in nature to the Satyagraha.  He did not strictly abide by the tenets of the Satyagraha but his beliefs went hand in hand with Gandhi's when it came to the government and law.  Summarizing the two great men, they believed that it is a persons duty to follow laws as long as they are morally sound.  If a law, however, violates your personal values,  it is your duty and obligation to resist it non-violently and accept whatever punishment is given you.  

     Both men were subjected to punishments due to their protests and both men received the utmost respect from their followers because of this.  Through acceptance of punishment, both men drew attention and although indirectly, this led to the success of their movements.  Therefore, it can be deduced that peaceful, non-violent resistance is not just an idealistic dream solution, but a very plausible, practical, and wise one.  Martin Luther King Jr. is quoted as saying, "The means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek (King 228)."  This is again in accordance with Gandhi and further motivation to take a peaceful approach to any issue.  It is impossible to achieve true peace and equality through violence and hatred, therefore peaceful means must be employed.  It may seem unusual to compare two great men from such different places and backgrounds, but fundamentally, King and Gandhi both taught the same ideals to two different groups.  Both scenarios were different, and the outcomes were not identical, but they both shared the same purity in their purpose.  They achieved peace through peace and created two excellent arguments for a more peace and love centered world.