I choose to take Martin Luther King Jr. on a vacation back in history between 1800 and 1860 because of his passionate advocacy skills regarding the African-American civil rights. His non-violence approach to advance the civil rights based on Christian values was very effective. The fact that he began his activism in an early age and enjoyed a fanatical following from his followers is enough evidence that he would lead reforms such as ending segregation and slave trade early enough.
The three places that I will go back are Ohio, Missouri, and California. I will go to Ohio in 1802 during the criminalization of slavery. I want to see the reaction of Martin Luther King Jr. when the state of Ohio outlaws slavery. His response towards the residents of southern Ohio as they object to the settling of the Virginian John Randolph’s emancipated slaves. I will particularly be interested with Martin Luther King Jr. reply to an Ohio congressman who is saying that it the plan to settle the 518 slaves in Southern Ohio is implemented, the banks of Ohio will be filled with men with Muskets to keep off the liberated slaves. I hope to see the resilience of Martin Luther King Jr. as he leads the emancipated slaves to confront the men with the muskets. I will then fast forward the time to 1830s when the Oberlin College accepts to admit the back students. I am particularly interested in what Martin Luther King Jr. has to say about the reason given by the chief proponent of the program having stated that he had no intention of letting the place “full up with filthy stupid negroes”.
In Ohio the segregation of the blacks by the whites seems not to be enough as the whites insult, oppose, and occasionally attack the setup of the private schools that teach black children. Accordingly, whites destroy the new schools for the blacks in Zanesville and Troy in 1837 and 1840 respectively. This is a threat to the existence of schools especially if the blacks are to reiterate by attacking the white-dominated schools.
I will also be visiting Missouri in 1820 through to 1821 in the company of Martin Luther King Jr. We will attend the U.S. Congress to contribute to the Missouri Compromise with the aim of ending a series of slavery extensions. I am interested in seeing the number of black people who will be vying for a position within the senate and other leadership positions despite the state having previously admitted Alabama s a slave state during the 1819. I want to see the number of black women that is qualified to take up positions of leadership since the law now provides for equality and the number of blacks willing to share a podium with the white men. I want to check the previous laws of Missouri and the elements of segregation or discrimination on the basis of race and compare them with the emerging bills and acts. Martin Luther King Jr. will surely mobilize the blacks from the “Little Africa” to stand up for their rights against the oppressive acts of the whites.
The third vacation will be in California during the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. As a comprise between the northern Free-Soilers and the Southern Slave holders, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is one of the most controversial laws. It provides that slaves who are caught trying to escape from the control of their masters they would be returned to their respective masters. I hope to see how Martin Luther King would implement his religious but non-violence approaches to lead a protest against the contents of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and against the more intolerant Southern Slave Holders.
I believe that the series of legislations in the 1850 that are referred to as the Compromise of 1850 is ideal to Martin Luther King Jr. for instance in Bolton, the blacks are reduced into military activists. The fact that more activists are produced within the blacks from Bolton is ideal for Martin Luther King Jr. The coming together of such activists will surely institute an uncompromising movement that is effective for fights against slavery and oppression. Consequently, with Martin Luther King Jr. there will be more resistance against the attempt or enactment of an Act such as the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, which effectively make all the personal liberty laws
The movements against oppression in between the 1800 to 1860 are a choice that is provided by the state legislators and leaders. Consequently, the continued agitation for individual rights and freedoms is not as tense as it should be since a fight for the welfare of the Black community during this period is more isolated as there are no advanced media to effectively communicate boycotts, and rallies for campaigning against the various aspects. As such, the agitation will not be as intense as the future but it will surely achieve positive steps. This is particularly so because the society during this historical period is more reserved and based on the historical notions of primitive societies.
References
Knight, Peter (2003). Conspiracy Theories in American History: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO.
p. 402.
Nojeim, M. J. (2004). Gandhi and King: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance. Greenwood
Publishing Group. p. 179.
Warren, Mervyn A. (2001). King Came Preaching: The Pulpit Power of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. InterVarsity Press. p. 35.
