Resources for Teachers and Students on Coretta Scott King

Prepare: In 1968, Coretta Scott King established the King Center as a memorial to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. It is located in Atlanta's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site.

Read: Coretta Scott King wrote an original essay for the Architects of Peace project. In it, she explores a dream she refers to as a "Beloved Community," the creation of which was a goal her husband articulated as being the ultimate quest of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Explore: Stanford University has assembled an extensive archive of the papers of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their website contains the transcript of a sermon Dr. King preached in1956 called "When Peace Becomes Obnoxious."; In this speech, Dr. King redefines peace when he states, "Peace is not merely the absence of some negative force--war, tension, confusion, but it is the presence of some positive force--justice, goodwill, the power of the kingdom of God."

Write: As Coretta Scott King points out in her essay, Gandhi's concept of nonviolence as a means toward peace became a theoretical cornerstone behind her husband's civil rights efforts. Compose a five-to-seven page research paper on the evolution of Dr. King's rhetoric as he became more and more convinced of the efficacy of nonviolent political action. What did he understand the potential effects of nonviolence to be? Was his assessment of these effects correct?

Extend: Martin Luther King, Jr. was widely regarded for his oratorical skills. Those wishing to listen to audio excerpts from some of his speeches and sermons can do so online.

Additional Resource: Each year the American Library Association bestows The Coretta Scott King award on an author of African descent whose books promote an appreciation of the American Dream for peace and equality. Please visit a listing of recent recipients of this award.

Biography of Coretta Scott King