Most people know the amazing stories about the life of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. They know about his most famous speech, his legendary
marches and some of the principals by which he lived his life. What
most people do not know is what happened to his family. There are
stories about the numerous tragedies endured by the Kennedy family, but
after reading this, you might know that the King family gave nearly
everything in order to make the world a better place.
Shortly after Dr. King’s death in 1968, Martin’s brother Alfred
became co-pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where his father and
brother preached. In July of 1969, just a few days before his 39th
birthday, Alfred was found dead in a swimming pool in
Louisville, Kentucky. The case was ruled as an accidental drowning, but
many speculate something more sinister might have happened. According
to his father, he was a good swimmer.
Alberta King, Dr. King’s mother, was shot and killed in 1974 while
playing the organ at her church. The shooting was allegedly done by a
23-year old black man by the name of Marcus Wayne Chenault. Chenault
didn’t give any reason for the shooting, except to say that “all
Christians are my enemies.”
Martin’s father, who was his greatest inspiration long before he
learned from the teachings of Gandhi, lived a long life, dying at the
age of 84. Martin Luther King Sr. was the kind of black man who should
be leading every household: He was strong, disciplined and believed
intensely in the value of education. Most importantly, he taught his son
that his greatness should not be used to simply make himself rich, but
instead, it was to be used to empower his community by fighting for
justice and equality.
Culled from blackbluedog.com
No comments:
Post a Comment