Why We Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Photo Credit: Instagram #mlk
Americans are all about routine. Each year, many holidays pass by without anyone questioning why we even celebrate them. For the last few decades, the United States government has set aside a day to honor a man who forever changed America as we know it today. On Monday, January 21st we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of remembrance and reflection. Without Dr. King’s passion to pursue racial equality, our great country may have never torn down the walls of racism in the 1950s and 60s.
Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 but the holiday we observe is in January the month of his birthday. On that day, thousands of community projects across the nation that includes: school clean up, serving meals, supporting veterans, home clean up and more. All of these projects help Dr. King’s dream of economic opportunity, equality and social justice for all live on ad group’s band together to do something greater then themselves.
This year marks what would have been King’s 84th birthday and his legacy is as strong as ever. His greatest goal was to help others become the very best version of “us” and realize our highest possibilities as individuals. Setting race aside was a major stepping stone in this mission because with the white and black people groups being at odds, there was truly no way to improve as a population.
Here in California, we do not see much racism at all on a daily or even monthly basis. But back in the Deep South where the true civil rights movement went on, there are still barriers to be broken down and generations alive that oppose the great strides Dr. King made while he was here on earth.
This Monday, take time to reflect on the true character of a man who changed America as we know it. Don’t let yet another holiday pass by without realizing why it’s important to celebrate those who make an impact on society. You too can make an impact one of the following ways:
- Serve a hot meal to the homeless at Mary’s Kitchen
- Donate clothing items to your local shelter or collection site
- Take time to encourage someone
- Watch the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Join an organization to help restore a part of your local neighborhood
