During this third week of January 2009, we both celebrate history and witness history in the making. On Monday, we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – remembering the contributions of the civil rights leader. In his most famous speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., King spoke of his dream – a dream of racial equality. He spoke at a time when African Americans suffered indignities such as being refused service in restaurants, being forced to ride in the back of public buses, to drink from black only water fountains, and much more. While our country has made great strides in the areas of race relations and racial equality, few can deny that racism still exist – in some areas of the country more than others.
It’s fitting around this time of year to reflect on MLK’s life and work. One question that we often ask is whether or not his dream has been realized. Have we come far enough? Have the barriers to racial equality been torn down sufficiently enough? If King was alive today (he would be 81-years-old this year), would he be satisfied with the progress that has been made? Has King’s dream been realized?
Is it important that we set aside a day to remember the work of Dr. King? What is the best way to commemorate his life? As students, as a school, should we be doing something to remember King and educate the youth of today about his impact on our nation's history?
What do you think? Avoid simple answers. Give me real thought. Read the comments of those posting before you. Come back after you post, and continue to keep up with additional posts until the deadline. I want a real conversation. Invite your parents to read the blog, and they can even comment. Enjoy!
Note: I'm including King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
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16 comments:
I think that we should remember him because he had a lot to do with American history.
I think that we should remember him for giving that speech. Like Ethan said he has had a lot to do with American history....One way we show our appreciation is having Martin Luther KIng Jr. Day. Our country has remembered him for what he has done...so we gave him his own day to celebrate him.
We should remember him beacuse like Ethan and Brooklyn pointed out that he has alot to do with American History, but also I'm glad that he gave that speech if he didn't I probably wouldn't have as many of my friends that I do now if he hadn't.
i agree he has a lot to do with american history and he has made our country were we dont have to drink out of seperate water fountains and eat in different resturants so i think that we really need to remember him for what he has done
I think that Dr. Kings work had a tremendous affect in that time period and today. He made people look past there skin color and realy get to know a person before you judge.I think his speach was to let us know that were all equal.
yeah i agree with hanna b. because that speech has taught us that we dont have to judge people on what there skin coler is you can get to know anybody without judging them on anything.
i agree with every body because dr martin luther king gave that speech and everyone should remember it because he changed most people's lives. If he didnt do that march and say that speech most things in this world would be very diffrent and some people wouldnt know other right now. so every one should think about what dr martin luther king did.
Dr.Luther king Jr was a very inspiring man. He inspired many to not judge people by their race but by their personality. Which I think is very true, you should not judge someone by how they look, but how they act.
It was a very very sad day when someone thought that he was around and took that so personality that they went and murderd him....
We will member you in respect MLK Jr.
You re absolutly right elisabeth. We will alwaysremember matnin luther king for his best speech of all tim. "I have a dream". It inspred all of america and is one of the most important event in history.
we should respect him becuase he was brave
And because he thought and knew and did what he had to do for freedom. I will remember him forever and always
That speech Dr. King gave to our country was a huge impact on all of us. I think we will most certainly remember him, exspecialy the day we celebrate just for him.. and for what he said and did for our country that changed it. Martin Luther king had a goal set and he followed it he put his life on risk for many people. In my personal opinion there is no way we would be able to forget him. He was very brave for all of us. He changed our world.
---- Hanna!
I definitely agree with Hanna on that. Martin Luther king Jr. was A HUGE part of our history. A few years ago during class we watched a video cartoon thing about what it would be like if he didn't give his speech.It was a mess, it was just how it was before his speech but worse. Martin Luther king Jr. made a great influence for people, he is great. - Elisabeth :)
Yeah, he was brave enough like Tyler said. He deserves to be remembered for what he did and he made history! That's why we have Martin Luther King Jr. day.
Don't we all have dreams that we wish would come true?..
Well.. Martin Luther King's dream was the world's discrimination to African American's would end. Dr. King worked very hard for his wish to be granted. Notice how he tried and tried even at the steps where he didn't achieve. Don't you think all his hard work payed off? Even though he wasn't here to share the freedom with us he will always be honored and know from his self and that well written speech he gave "I had a dream" he is unforgetable.
we should respecthim because he was brave and was not not afraid to stand up for what he wanted to do.
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