“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from Birmingham Jail
January 15th marked what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s eighty-fifth birthday. Today, our nation celebrates the 28th Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (annually, the third Monday in January), and people are remembering the nonviolent civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient in a variety of ways. This Trending News Monday, we’re highlighting some of the ways people are remembering the man that helped end so much social injustice—thereby changing the face and thought-process of the American people–through civil disobedience.
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Atlanta, Georgia
Once the church where both Martin Luther King, Sr. and Martin Luther King, Jr. pastured, the Ebenezer Baptist Church is now a part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Rev. Raphael Warnock delivered the keynote address at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Additionally, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced that he’s working with state legislators to honor Dr. King with a permanent presence at the state capital in Atlanta. In the name of Dr. King’s nonviolent practices, the King Center will also host a number of events this week including a gun buyback (located at Turner Field).
Day of Service
Washington D.C.
President Obama and the first family spent the day “honoring Dr. King and the community” by preparing meals for local shelters at the D.C. Central Kitchen.
Brands Honoring the Legacy
Las Vegas hosted their 32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. The theme, “Living the Dream: Celebrating the Legacy; Daring to Dream,” sponsored by MGM Resorts, was seen through 130 different float, marching band, dancer and motorcade parade entries. MGM Resorts isn’t the only brand to get involved in remembering Dr. King: the General Mills foundation and the United Negro College Fund hosted the 24th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday Breakfast and several stores, restaurants and retailers have commercialized the holiday—extending offers and sales.
Although Dr. King was assassinated 46 years ago this April, his legacy is strong. While his dream has not yet turned into a complete reality and while injustices threaten justices everywhere, people can continue his nonviolent, social disobedient practices and follow in Dr. King’s footsteps to make this world a better place.
How are you remembering the civil rights hero?
Cover Photo Source: Daniel M. Silva / Shutterstock.com
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wpmaster.sjadv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Cassandra-Bremer-Our-Space-Photo-e1402061863316.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Cassandra is a Content Manager and Developer at SJG. She earned her BA from Fontbonne University in 2011. Outside the office, she enjoys an active, healthy and well-rounded lifestyle including reading, writing, running, golfing, watching films, listening to music, taking photographs, and consuming media and social media.[/author_info] [/author]