1The 1950's and 60's were crucial time periods in American History.

Not only did they help mold the face

of our society today, they endured pivotal political movements that greatly impacted our government. In Marshall Fradys biography Martin Luther King Jr. A Life, Frady displays the struggles and achievements that King went through in the name of civil liberty. Frady writes that the southern United States was actually more like South Africa during this time period (Frady,1). This statement is of great significance because it helps one to better understand the instability of the South during this time. At this time South Africa was faced with apartheid which like segregation separated blacks from whites. In addition to being separated from whites, blacks were also subjected to special laws which did not apply to whites. Seeing the striking similarities Frady could not help to make the comparison between apartheid and the southern United States. The violence and oppression that was felt by black people made it almost impossible for blacks to be in close of whites. The son of a southern Pentecostal preacher, Martin Luther King, was well schooled in the southern traditions, values, and ways (Frady,26). Since he was schooled in the traditions, values, and ways of the south he was better suited to deal with race issues in the south , because he could better relate to these southern blacks. His success in the south propelled him to the role of a powerful leader of blacks as well as whites ( Frady, 166 ). The north with its urban climate however was a different world compared to the more spiritually inclined south ( Frady, 171). Blacks in the north were not as open-minded towards Dr. Kings speeches as there counterparts to the south. Dr. Kings speeches spoke of bringing about change through peaceful protest, but blacks in the north did not share this philosophy. Instead they demanded physical action. Dr. King had foresaw that this would cause white retaliation, which would have been harmful to his cause. Martin also faced the northern whites who were more hostile than those he encountered in the south (Frady, 176). He also faced the underhanded tricks of Mayor Richmond Daley and his government who present a facade of cooperation to eradicate housing discrimination of Chicago (Frady, 174-175). Dr. King definitely had trouble conveying his message to the north because of white extremists like Daley, and the attitudes of northern blacks. Throughout the biography, Frady describes and embraces all the positive things Martin Luther King Jr. did during his life to improve the lives of many African American people and to help them fight for their rights as

human beings. Frady sites episodes such as the encounter between Rosa Parks and the white bus driver James Blake, and between the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) members, including Martin Luther King, and police officers (Frady, 67-73). Furthermore, huge emphasis was made on all the pressure Dr. King had to go through to make the lives of African Americans better, battling against racism, poverty and sickness. Consequently, Kings leadership skill and determination proved decisive for the improvement of the lives of African Americans (Frady 4345). Although Frady portrays Dr. King Jr. as an excellent spiritual leader, he also focuses on the many human qualities of Dr. King, and because of this, it is needless to say that Dr. King did many things throughout his life that revolutionized, impacted and changed the world, the way we live and the way we think today. We often think that great historical figures such as Marin Luther King Jr. are super-human, but Fradys biography depicts how imperfect he was. This was evident by the imperfect qualities King exhibited throughout his life. The most shocking of which, was his fear of heading the massive civil rights movement, but it was not the only fear that would discourage young Dr. King from taking his position as leader of the movement. Frady goes on to describe Dr. Kings fears of how whites might react, and even worse retaliate towards the movement (Frady, 21, 32-33, 38,44-45, 50, 52-53, 57, 73-74,91,93). King was an amazing scholar, but generally did not use his own ideas. Instead he would meld exerts from other works together such as sermons, papers, books, and speeches (Frady, 19, 26, 59-60). He also took place in several affairs, smoked, and even drank which were looked down upon at this time in history (Frady, 10, 21, 53, 62-65, 67) . It is his flaws that appeal to the average person, but it is not his flaws that will be remembered for years to come. It is what he did for America that will.