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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17 comments:
I had just viewed the Martin Luther King Juinior video about "I have a dream". As I was doing so, I thought in my head.
Why in the world would white people do that. Colored people have the same respect as us.
Martion Luther King Juinor stood in front of millions of people even more, Sharring his true feelings.
We thank him today for what he has done. He joined us together with peace and love. He made us come together. I thank god every day, for putting Martin Luther King juinor on Earth.
We have came a long way. Before I go on, the people that did not agree will be punished. They will have to think about it every day, night saying, "Why did I do that?"
They could be 80 years old or any age, They will have to think about what they have done. On Martion Luther King Day, I bet you that they are locking them self up in there house and have a argument.
While all the people that got along are having a great time, treasuring this day. Martion Luther King Juinor is a brave person, Help celebrate his day and what he has done!
I had just viwed the Martin luther king viedo! And to me the vido was about how the King was trying to say how the blacks and whites should get along! NO MORE FITTING, NO MORE SCREEMING AND LETS JUST GET ALONG!
To me Martin Luther king is a brave,smart,kind, and a warm hearted man he wanted to change life and do the oppistie of fitting and saying very rude mean things!
Also why did white people do those hateful things to colored people. The colored people did'nt do anything to them!
Also if he did not do that we would be living in a world of hate, meaness, and fitting! So every day i prey to god for thanking him for brigging Martin Luthr king into our world and our hearts! And you should do the same thing!
One more thing, Martin Luther king died from a horrible death and Martin Lther king deservies an big thank even though he is not alive but his heart can hear us thanking him so i reccomend on thanking him for evrething he has done for evreyone!
It makes me feel how stupid a person or persons were to treat people different by skin color. The prjudise people relly needed to put them selfs in their shoes. They should think if some crazy people told you that you could not drink, eat, sit with, or work with another person bassed on your skin, how would YOU feel? I don't even understand how people could be so mean and think like that.
i think the color of your skin doesn't judge a person i would judge a person by their charter not their skin martin luther king stood up and gave his speech about freedom and thats why we are where we are now
I am proud that Martion Luther King stood up for us. I totally agree with Cassie, Brandon, and Jordan. We shouldnt be judge on the color of skin we have. It matters whats on the inside that counts. Martion Luther King wanted peace between everyone. Whats so hard about that?
wow that martin luther king is DEEP! to many people make fun of blacks, jews, witch im half of, (horowitz) muzlems, alot and people hae died for things that they cant even control! Mr. King really steped up to the plat and risked alot, and thats something we all need to do a little more of, (standing up for others) I cant help if im half jewish, Jordan and Ryan for example cant help that there black, and regular whites are sometimes alittle mean and dont see that blessing!
I think Cara is right. I mean why would white people be more important than "black" or "colored" people. Your skin color shouldnt matter. I am one hundred percent sure he was right.
I think Martin Luther King's I have a Dream speech is about how he wishes and has hope that people, black or white could one day grow up equally and fair. He always spoke from his heart. I think he was right to say everything that he said. He was always treating others right and what did he get for it? He ws assasinated.
I hope that the rights always are right. I do agree with Cara though because she has a good point and she is very well stating it. I'm very appauled at the man who killed him. (Who died about two months ago i think.) I think what the killer did wasn't right. AT ALL!
In conclusion I just want to say that his speech was beautiful. May he rest in peace. I hope that things as stupid as someone's race ever cause something this horrific ever again.
Regular wights, (wight cristans)
i just watched the Martin Luther King vedioand it was just like the one that we watched in class well anywase i thiknk it tought me some stuff that i really did not know!!!!! i think it was really interesting.....
and i agree with cara!!!!!
I have a dream says something we should have equal rights and not separate things i think that many black people set a stepping stone and Mr. Luther king set the biggest one.From Rosa parks, To arthur ash,to malcom x these are many people who cared about our country and i sit and think because of these people we are better.
Mr. Luther king Jr. will always be remembered for his many speeches,walks and protests we love you we miss you and we thank you for the opportunity to live freely
I think everyone remembers Martin Luther King Jr. as a person that helped everyone get along but some people didn't agree with him. So people kept on fighting each other but in the end Dr. King brought everyone together without judging each other by their skin color.
Courtey and jordan you are right who cares if you are black or white it dosent matter i mean white people are differint to and we were pretty mean same on us, and i say Martin Luther King jr is one of the best persons to live go Martin Luther King!!!!
meganryanIt's a sham how Mr. King did so much and some are still saying mean things to people who are diffrent, because of the bible people are making fun of gays, because most Jews dont believe in Jesus who WAS a Jew, we/they are getting made fun of!
We cant control our religion, or the color of our skin or what gender we like! Martin Luther King Jr. did alot but sometimes thats not enough, we need to try harder, black or white, Cristan or Jew, straight or gay, we need to think of what Dr, King was thinking!
Just to Mr. veliz, well i know everybody else can see it but are we spose to blog, like really spose to? Because no one is!
HI!!!!! People of the world!
yaaaaa im still the last person to blog!
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