What method did Martin Luther King, Jr. advocate for combating racial discrimination?

• A. Violent protests
• B. Legal challenges
• C. Nonviolent resistance
• D. Economic boycotts

Answer: (C)

Martin Luther King, Jr. strongly advocated for nonviolent resistance as a means to combat racial discrimination and promote civil rights. This approach was deeply influenced by the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, which emphasized peaceful protests and civil disobedience as powerful tools for social change. King believed that using nonviolence would not only help to avoid the destructive consequences of violence but also appeal to the moral consciousness of the oppressors, encouraging them to reconsider their stance on racial injustice.

By organizing marches, sit-ins, and other forms of peaceful protest, King aimed to highlight the struggles of African Americans and expose the brutality of segregation and discrimination. Events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington exemplify this commitment to nonviolent methods, drawing national attention to civil rights issues and garnering widespread support for the movement. Ultimately, nonviolent resistance became a foundational principle of the civil rights movement and played a crucial role in achieving legislative and social changes in the United States.