Leaders Like Martin Luther King, Jr. - 1149 Words

Leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill and Hitler have one thing in common; the word charisma is usually attached to them when people describe their characteristics as a leader. Charisma defined by the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary is â€Å"a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader); a special magnetic charm or appeal† (Merriam-Webster, 2014). The Oxford Dictionary states that charisma is â€Å"Compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others† (Oxford University Press, 2014). Max Weber (known as the father of sociology) first introduced the concept of charisma with the relationship to power and authority. He described charisma as a personality trait that sets her/him apart from the masses. The charismatic individual is deemed to have supernatural, superhuman, or to possess exceptional power that is not readily accessible to a regular person (Weber, 1947). Weber further believed that charisma was the result of a social crisis and that these leaders have extraordinary appeal because they â€Å"†¦emerge with the radical vision that provides the solution to the crisis† (Barbuto, 1997, p. 689). For example, Martin Luther King, Jr. arose in the civil rights movement as a beacon of change, equality and eventually for peace. The power of the charismatic leader is often defined by how the followers perceive and act. Researchers believe that the leaderShow MoreRelated Complexities of Dr. Martin Luther King Essay1254 Words   |  6 PagesMartin Luther King, Jr.’s impact on the civil rights movement was nothing short of monumental. To say anything less may be considered sacrilege in the history of the United States. King’s liberal and Christian upbringing, comfortable and educated childhood, and his theological education all played a large part in his contributions to civil rights in America. Perhaps one of his most sustained acts was his ability to represent the plight of African American rights while simultaneously portrayingRead MoreWho knew the two most powerful African Americans that influence countless of people in history and700 Words   |  3 Pageslocked up in jail? Martin Luther King Jr. was incarcerated because the city officials issued a court injunction to prohibit the civil rights marches in Birmingham. Whereas, Malcolm x was arrested for burglary while trying to pick up a stolen watch he had left for repairs at a jewelry shop. The fight for civil right was taken in the 1960s, where racism was a problem. Whites discriminated blacks because they thought they werent equal to them. This is where Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X comeRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr. and Susan B. Anthony’s Effects on The Brunswick Community1035 Words   |  5 Pagesways that affects everyone today. Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr. are both amazing leaders of the suffrage and civil rights movements. Anthony with Women’s rights, and King with African American’s rights took Civil Rights as a whole a few great leaps forward; brought forth an era where the Civil Rights Movement is something almost everyone believes in, that equal rights should be something everyone has. In these great leaps forward, King and Anthony have used their influential abilities toRead More Henry Thoreau’s Influence on Martin Luther King Jr. Essay898 Words   |  4 PagesHenry Thoreau’s Influence on Martin Luther King Jr. Henry David Thoreau was a great American writer, philosopher, and naturalist of the 1800’s who’s writings have influenced many famous leaders in the 20th century, as well as in his own lifetime. Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts in 1817, where he was later educated at Harvard University. Thoreau was a transcendentalist writer, which means that he believed that intuition and the individual conscience â€Å"transcend† experienceRead MoreComparison of Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcom X1700 Words   |  7 Pages that all men are created equal. (Martin Luther King) The other, a man who spoke of a violent revolution, which would bring about radical change for the black race. Anything you can think of that you want to change right now, the only way you can do it is with a ballot or a bullet. And if you re not ready to get involved with either one of those, you are satisfied with the status quo. That means we ll have to change you. (Malcom X) While Martin Luther King promoted non-violence, civil rightsRead More Letters from a Birmingham Jail Essay1534 Words   |  7 Pagesthe criticism. Martin Luther King Jr. is writing a letter from inside the jail of Birmingham in April of 1963. This letter King wrote was in response to a letter he received from the religious leaders after King is making a stand against the racial issues in Alabama. These leaders stand firm in their letter when they say that when rights are being denied, they should be handled in the courts with negotiations and not in the streets. The authorities have placed Martin Luther King Jr. against his ownRead More Dr. Martin Luther King’s Funeral and Assassination Essay1605 Words   |  7 PagesDr. Martin Luther King’s Funeral and Assassination Word spread like wildfire when the news of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination hit the public. As the leading civil rights activist in the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. preached words of peace and understanding among races. A well known name throughout the North and South, King gained extreme popularity within the African American community. When Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated a wave of sorrow spread across the nation. WithRead MoreMartin Luther King, Jr.s Dream1266 Words   |  5 PagesMartin Luther King, Jr. realized several different needs to be met within the world. He dedicated his whole life to God and to secure justice, peace, and love for all man kind. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the one and only leader who could rally such a diverse population to agree to work together, ensuring his mission to be closely met. Even today, his mission was not fullfilled. There is still racial inequality within the world. Yhe world has came a long way, but the his tory and future is stillRead More Civil Rights and Martin Luther King Jr. Essay1221 Words   |  5 Pages Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great civil rights leader who gave his life in the name of freedom. The work of Martin Luther King, Jr. goes further than establishing peaceful social change strategies, he shaped America into the free country it is today. Before his protests in the south blacks, were treated like second rate citizens. It was uncommon to see blacks and whites using the same public restroom, or drinking from the same water fountain. Dr. King created a legacy that carried on farRead MoreFamous Thinkers Essay1309 Words   |  6 PagesThinkers Paper: Bill Gates and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. PHL/458 Mr. McDuffie October 2, 2012 While exploring history and trying to realize the famous thinkers of our society, countless men and women stand out. Famous thinkers are individuals who used determination and critical thinking to overcome hard times in order to do well. The two famous thinkers that thrust out in my mind are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Bill Gates. In this paper