Dr. Martin Luther King is one of the most notable activists in American history and the creator of one of the greatest civil rights speeches ever; his “I Have a Dream” speech was revolutionary for the time and shaped the trajectory of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Day was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on November 2, 1983. This day honors the birthday of MLK and his tiresome work towards equality in the United States.
Martin Luther King Day is more than just a day off from school, but instead a day where we are mobilized to go out and make change as he did. MLK Day is dedicated to service and spreading efforts of equality within your own community. Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This quote should rally us together in labors of service and kindness to help those less fortunate than us. Whether it be working a shift at a soup kitchen, planting trees at your local park, or writing letters to sick children, everything counts towards fighting injustice. Dr. Martin Luther King wanted us to look at injustice and not only be scared of it, but to be so worried that we feel a motivation to stop it. He wanted us to see a hungry child and feel their hunger, to see someone suffering from homelessness and feel their desperation. Empathy is a crucial factor to the human experience and shouldn’t be lost due to ignorance or overlooking others. Empathy is what we should be leading our lives with every day and playing a part in all our decisions.
What Can You Do for MLK Day?
The best thing someone can do on MLK Day is service. There are a multitude of volunteering efforts nation-wide on this day and a plethora in New Jersey. All the way from Newark to the Jersey Shore, people will be making change in their community on Monday. It is highly important that we volunteer and honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy. Specifically, the involvement of women is never overlooked on this day. Martin Luther King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, lived on past her husband and continued her work within activism. She spoke out for LGBTQIA+ rights, Black rights, and continuing civil rights. Although she passed away in 2006, she was a pioneer during this time and a true image of female strength in social justice.
It is our job as not only youth, but also women, to take an active part in Martin Luther King Day and ensure that the true reasoning behind it is never lost. As previously stated, any and all service counts and makes a difference. Don’t just clean up a park because you feel forced to or your friends are doing it, but find something you will truly enjoy. If you love children, then volunteer at a women’s shelter for childcare. If you love organization, then sort bins at a food pantry. However it may be, cater this day to your interests and personalize your service to ensure you are enjoying your work. Please go out and make a difference on this MLK Day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King.
