Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day set aside to recognize his work, life, and impact on the United States.
Martin Luther King Jr. was an important civil rights figure. He believed in being judged on character instead of the color of people’s skin. He fought for equality and fair justice. This day celebrates how he advocated for African American human rights.
King never participated in violent protests because he believed in fighting for change nonviolently. Instead, he used peaceful protests, speeches, and civil disobedience to achieve these changes in society.
MLK Day celebrates a person who influences people to help and volunteer in their communities and shows people that they shouldn’t be afraid to fight for change and that violence doesn’t have to be the answer.
When asking GCS Principal Binkley why we celebrate MLK Day, she says, “As a former history teacher, I recall the statement, “If we don’t learn from the mistakes of our past, we are bound to repeat them.” Dr. King was a visionary and a courageous leader in a time of great turmoil in our country. While our nation has made many positive changes concerning equality, we must be ever-vigilant in our fight against injustice.
She continues, “When we take time to remember, reflect, and honor men like Dr. King, we remain committed to the ideals and sacrifices of the past that have shaped who we are today.”
This holiday is celebrated on the third Monday of January.
