Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated annually on the third Monday of January. It is a day for people to recognize and appreciate the work he put in to make sure all Americans had equal rights. This holiday allows us to also reflect and honor the life and legacy of King and encourage us to volunteer to improve the lives around us. Particularly, this is why this holiday is so important; it's a constant reminder of our past faults and our future improvements in making the world a better place.
During the 1950s, King advocated for nonviolent resistance to racial oppression by standing up for what he believed in. For instance, he organized certain marches and boycotts, which were to mainly protest racial discrimination in schools and the workforce.
Although he did improve equality within our country, he also brought hope and healing in this country because of his inspiring words for fighting for freedom and justice despite the consequences of standing up for his beliefs. Not only was he courageous, but he promoted peace by using his voice and not violence.
Let us use this holiday to present acts of kindness and peace with one another and reflect on the importance of what this holiday means to us and our country. We could support Black-owned businesses, educate ourselves on this critical point in American history, watch the “I have a Dream” speech, or perform any act of kindness.
This is more than just a day off from school. It represents something that will forever be remembered in our history, so make sure you use this day as a reminder of Martin Luther King Jr.‘s courage and acts of kindness towards others and let us be influenced to be the same! Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!