Childhood experiences shaped Martin Luther King Jr.'s social activism deeply, as he grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, during the era of racial segregation. Influenced by his father, a Baptist minister, King learned about social justice and nonviolence from an early age. His firsthand experiences with discrimination and witnessing his family’s commitment to civil rights galvanized his resolve. These formative influences guided King in his pursuit of equality and justice, making him a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement.