Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Honoring+Martin+Luther+King+Jr.

Ayanna Jones-Reid, Staff Writer

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist who played a important role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination on April 4, 1968, according to http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-facts.

King became the voice of not just African Americans, but people around the world. He contributed to many important events that shaped America today, events that are memorable. The Montgomery bus boycott, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the letter from Birmingham jail, the march on Washington, and the “I Have a Dream” speech are just some of the actions he participated in. He was the driven force of these events and because of it, the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act were brought to place.

King peacefully protested for equality and human rights of African Americans. He dedicated his life to advancing social justice, fighting inequality, and creating economic opportunity for all. King taught us that we each have a role to play in this world and through service, we can bridge barriers and build lasting change in our community. If a person’s presence doesn’t make an impact, then their absence won’t make a difference. In Martin Luther King’s case, his impact was definitely unforgettable. King was a industrious, intelligent, outspoken, and brave individual who deserves to be honored every single day, not just in January and February.