How does this statement, "During conflict the group is more important than the individual," relate to Martin Luther King?

Martin Luther King Jr. had a non-violence self-sacrificing
position to prove that the group is more important than the individual. A study in some
of the writings as well as the analysis of his life would help you develop strong
arguments to prove the relationship between the man and the
statement.

I would use 3 points of reference in developing
such an argument:

1. His
positions: Martin Luther King Jr. believed in social justice, resistance,
reconciliation, and non-violence. Each of these values prove that he put society before
himself because the consequences on the individual for rejection of these ideas was
extreme. He eventually paid for his values with his
life.

2. His writings: In each
of his speeches and sermons, King rallied individuals to seek common purpose in pursing
justice for all peoples. His "I have a Dream" speech particularly employs the theme of
unity.

3. His lifestyle: Many
people today preach one thing and then do another. King participated in sit-ins, he went
to jail for his positions, and he marched. Each of these actions demonstrate that he did
not just say how he felt, he acted on it.

All of these took
place within the Civil Rights Movement over issues of racial equality. Therefore,
tension was high and conflict flared regularly.