Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy By Giving Back To Your Community

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MLK Day has been designated as a national day of service (Credit: Points of light.org)

Celebrated annually on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the life and legacy of one of the most influential leaders of the American civil rights movement. Designated a national day of service by the US Congress, the federal holiday encourages citizens to help realize the Baptist minister's vision of a “beloved community” by bridging racial and ethnic barriers, addressing social issues, and volunteering to improve their communities.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) grew up in a world where black and white people led disparate lives. They dined at different restaurants, attended different schools, and even sat separately in specially marked areas when traveling on buses and trains. The young boy believed segregation was a way of life across the country until he went to work in the tobacco fields of Hartford, Connecticut, in the summer of 1944. In a letter to his father, the then 15-year-old MLK said, "After we passed Washington, there was no discrimination at all. The white people here are very nice. We go to any place we want to and sit anywhere we want to.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta King in 1964 (Credit: By Herman Hiller / New York World-Telegram /Library of Congress/ Public domain via Wikimedia.org)

MLK returned to Atlanta to pursue an undergraduate degree in sociology at Morehouse College. In 1954, the now ordained minister had to decide between becoming the pastor of a church in the progressive northern states of New York or Massachusetts, or accepting a similar position in Montgomery, Alabama, where segregation was alive. Not afraid to take on a challenge, the clergyman and his wife, Coretta King, opted for the latter.

As the church leader, MLK convinced his mostly black congregation to register to vote and join the NAACP, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. His pursuit for racial equality began in December 1955 after civil rights activist Rosa Parks was arrested for not vacating her bus seat for a white passenger. Upset at the injustice, MLK led the charge to convince the city's African American residents to avoid public buses. Despite having no other mode of transport to get to work, the locals joined the cause — not for a day or month, but an entire year! As news of the boycott spread, African American residents from the other Southern States joined in, resulting in the first-ever concerted effort to fight racial discrimination. In 1956, the activists won their first battle when the United States Supreme Court ruled segregation on public transportation illegal.

Civil rights activist Rosa Parks Rosa Parks being fingerprinted by Deputy Sheriff D.H. Lackey after her arrest as one of the leaders of the Montgomery bus boycott (Credit: Associated Press/ restored by Adam Cuerden/Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Buoyed by the success, MLK began to travel across the country, urging citizens to fight against existing segregation policies by staging peaceful sit-ins, boycotts, and marches. The activist became famous for his inspiring speeches, the most memorable one of which was delivered in 1963.

The events leading to the oft-quoted 'I Have A Dream' address began in June 1963, when President John F. Kennedy asked the US Congress to approve a bill giving all Americans equal access to public places. To persuade government officials to sign it into law, civil rights leaders encouraged citizens to stage a peaceful rally in Washington, DC. Over 200,000 residents from across the country heeded their call and arrived at the capital on August 28, 1963, to participate in what later became known as the March on Washington. It was here that MLK, standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, revealed his dream of living in a country where everyone was treated equally.

The July 2, 1964, Civil Rights Act was the first significant victory in the activist’s mission to achieve equality for all Americans. The August 6, 1965, Voting Rights Act, allowing African Americans to exercise their right to vote in US elections, was another step in the right direction. The April 11, 1968, Fair Housing Act, prohibiting racial discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of property was the final victory, assuring equal rights across the country. Unfortunately, MLK was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, and never experienced life in a segregation-free America.

The clergyman-turned-activist's courage and efforts have allowed all Americans — regardless of race, color, gender, religion, or national origin — to pursue their dreams. It is now up to all of us, both young and old, to protect MLK's precious legacy by standing up to societal injustices and helping those in need, especially during these difficult times. This January 18, 2021, create your own legacy by helping community members impacted by the pandemic — not just for a single day, but on an ongoing basis.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Resources: History.com, Wikipedia. org, nationalservice.org

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207 Comments
  • dhhue
    dhhueover 3 years
    these days when you think of martin luther king you think of ending slavery but the true porpose is to honor the be thankful of what this man did us . he had a dream . he had a erge for justice , freedom and fairness to end what many at that time experinced . this man was the best . nobody could stand up how he did . but many have forgotten who was but we will never forget what has been or what happened . matin luther would be proud of what inpact he did . r.i.p matin luther king may god bless him .
    • tanqrsketch87
      tanqrsketch87over 3 years
      In these times when we continue to fight for civil rights and everytime a new police kills a innocent person it makes me cry.It makes my emotions flare up.And now i realize we have to appreciate life as how it is.Don´t ask for any more.All i need is people.Equality.And Peace.And how Dr.Martin Luther King brang us together.His booming voice.Strong at powerful.And how we have forgotten what we have been made for.To live this life.As you want it.Live it open live it free.But sometimes we forget we have all we need.I have a dream that all of us can just be friends and not by the color of their skin but who they are on the inside.I have a dream someday we can end this dawn of judging.I have a dream that one day I can wake up and know it will be a good day.And that I can have the power to make friends just by having a normal conversation.And that we will stay strong through anytime.And no matter what anybody says.You are the greatest version of YOU.It is up to you to change the world.
    • aininakifaaidan
      aininakifaaidanover 3 years
      He is a great man.He united the white people and the black people.Miss him.
      • sugercube123
        sugercube123over 3 years
        yes he seems like a very intelligent man😸
        • heliyah
          heliyahover 3 years
          I thank Mr. Martin Luther king because no matter what your skin color is we can all be friends
          • meganworld
            meganworldover 3 years
            Thanks to him he as made the world a better place
          • meganworld
            meganworldover 3 years
            Thank you Dr.King
            • jesussavesalway
              jesussavesalwayover 3 years
              i <3 mlk day
              • randomcosplays0
                randomcosplays0over 3 years
                This info is very helpful. When I was younger, I didn't understand the gravity of this situation. Now that I'm older (6th grade), I understand a lot more, it's quite life changing.
                • x_goddess_x
                  x_goddess_xover 3 years
                  MLK is the best!! Like and follow if you agree!