BLACK LIVES MATTER: AN EVALUATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR’S IDEOLOGY ON EQUALITY

This research investigates the alignment between Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of equality, grounded in nonviolent resistance and universal human rights, and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement’s efforts to confront systemic racism. By analyzing King’s speeches from 1955 to 1968 alongside BLM’s public statements from 2013 to 2025, the study reveals shared goals of dismantling racial injustice, yet highlights distinct approaches shaped by their respective eras. King’s philosophy, inspired by Christian values and Gandhian principles, leveraged moral clarity and organized campaigns, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, to secure landmark laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Conversely, BLM employs a decentralized, intersectional framework, amplified by social media, to address modern challenges like police brutality and economic inequity, as seen in initiatives like #SayHerName and calls for reparations. The analysis underscores King’s lasting influence on coalition-building and economic justice while recognizing the need for adaptive strategies to tackle contemporary complexities. This study deepens understanding of civil rights activism’s evolution, offering valuable perspectives for scholars, activists, and policymakers working toward a more equitable society.