A Hero in the Making

King was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929. When he was about 6 years old, he had an experience that changed his life. His best friend was a boy whose family owned a store near the Kings’ house. The two liked to ride their bikes and play together.

One day, the boy told King they couldn’t be friends anymore. It was because King was black and the boy was white. The boy’s dad didn’t want him playing with a black child.

King was sad and confused. It was the first time he had faced racism, the unfair belief that some people are better than others because of skin color. But it would not be the last time.

King was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929. When he was about 6 years old, something happened that changed his life. His best friend was a boy whose family owned a store near the Kings’ house. The two often played together.

Suddenly, the boy said they couldn’t be friends anymore. It was because King was black and the other boy was white. The boy’s dad didn’t want him playing with a black child.

King was sad and confused. It was the first time he had faced racism. That’s the unfair belief that some people are better than others because of skin color. But it would not be the last time.

Back then, unjust laws in many Southern states said black people and white people had to go to separate places like schools, parks, and restaurants. They had to ride in different sections of buses and trains. The places and sections for white people were almost always better. This was called segregation— and King learned about it firsthand.

One painful event happened when King went to a shoe store with his dad. A clerk told them to go to the back of the store. He said the seats in front were only for white customers.

Young King was proud of the way his dad responded. “We’ll either buy shoes sitting here,” his dad replied, “or we won’t buy shoes at all.” Then King and his dad left the store without making a purchase.

Back then, unjust laws in some states said black people and white people had to go to separate places like schools and parks. They had to ride in different sections of buses and trains. The places and sections for white people were almost always better. This was called segregation.

One day, King went to a shoe store with his dad. A clerk told them to go to the back of the store. He said the seats in front were only for white customers.

King was proud of his dad’s answer. “We’ll either buy shoes sitting here, or we won’t buy shoes at all,” his dad said. Then King and his dad left the store without buying anything.   

Later, King went to college and became a leader in his church. He kept thinking about how African Americans were being mistreated.

Then, in 1955, he began leading the movement for equal rights. He fought to end laws that were unfair to black Americans. He led marches to bring attention to the movement. He gave speeches to millions of people.

King’s push for fairness made some people angry. They threatened him and threw him in jail several times. They acted out with violence. But King refused to give up. He kept peacefully working for change.

Sadly, King was killed in 1968. But his brave work made the U.S. a better place. He continues to inspire people who are fighting for equality.

Later, King went to college. He became a leader in his church. He kept thinking about how African Americans were being mistreated. 

In 1955, he began leading the movement for equal rights. He fought to end laws that were unfair to black Americans. He led marches. He gave speeches to millions of people.

King’s push for fairness made some people angry. They threatened him and threw him in jail. They acted out with violence. But King did not give up. He kept peacefully working for change.

Sadly, King was killed in 1968. But his brave work made the U.S. a better place. He continues to inspire people who are fighting for equality.