Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the US Human Rights Movement
As human rights advocates in the U.S., we have a tremendous opportunity this week. We have the opportunity to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and the human rights in the U.S. movement as a whole. Many of us have a whole day off with our families to celebrate human rights. This is a truly incredible opportunity when you think about it. There are no other federal holidays that come anywhere close to celebrating human rights. Given this opportunity, how will you celebrate the human rights in the U.S. movement this week?
It is possible that you are helping to plan one of the numerous events and solidarity actions in your area. You may also be attending a conference or teach-in to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., the civil rights movement, and national resistance to injustice. You could also be volunteering with one of the thousands of service projects that are being organized as part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service.
There are multiple ways you could also personally celebrate the human rights movement in the U.S. and try to internalize the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. You could watch the “I have a dream” speech in its entirety. You could listen to these civil rights protest songs or these songs inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. You could go see “Selma” and read Gay McDougal’s review posted earlier this week. You could also follow along as 103-year-old civil rights matriarch Boynton Robinson watches “Selma”. You could also involve your kids in these activities and talk to them about what inspired you to be a human rights advocate here in the U.S. and why you continue to do the work that you do.
One of my favorite human rights advocates, Hadar Harris, has established an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day tradition here in Washington, D.C., that I absolutely love. She and her sons watch the “I have a dream” speech, then they go visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial. From there, they walk to the Lincoln Memorial and have birthday cupcakes on the star on the steps which marks the place from where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the “I have a dream” speech.
If you have any annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day traditions or additional ideas for celebration, please share in the comments section.