A man stood on the second story balcony of a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee; the air was peaceful, when a sharp crack broke the silence and a man fell stricken by the assassin’s bullet. On April 4, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray. Years after his assassination President Ronald Reagan declared Dr. MLK Jr.’s birthday a national holiday.
On this day there are a variety of events occurring around town from a candle light vigil, to a march in his honor by the city hall. These events show how profoundly King has influenced our country even though he died nearly fifty years ago.
However, many people today question why we even celebrate this day, and what King actually did. Several students shared about why we should celebrate this day.
Traditions
Dana Kwon, Senior
January 16, 2017
“I believe that we celebrate this day to remember Dr. King’s life and work and honor his legacy of making the holiday of a day,” Kwon said. “My family and I honestly don’t celebrate on this day, but we pray about this day and Martin Luther king that we thank to him that he gave African people civil rights.”
Remembering a great activist
Elizabeth Baker, Senior
January 16, 2017
“I know who Martin Luther King Jr. was, and that he wanted to break down racial barriers and unite the people,” Baker said. “He was an activist- a great one, and we take this day to remember the changes he made.”
Looking back
Zach Passmore, Senior
January 16, 2017
Honoring a peacemaker
Erin Wilson, Junior
January 16, 2017
Honoring a great man
Josh Villa, Junior
January 16, 2017
“Martin Luther King Jr. day is a holiday to celebrate his achievements and accomplishments,” Villa said. “We celebrate this day to remember everything that he has done for our country. He did a lot for our country in terms of equality and justice.”
Civil rights leader
Cate Vander Kooi, Junior
January 16, 2017
“I know that it is a day to celebrate the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and acknowledge his sacrifice and accomplishments for our country,” Vander Kooi said. “This day is important because we need to remember our history, and the civil rights movement was a major part of that.”
Contribution to mankind
Harjot Chhina, Sophomore
January 16, 2017
“I think Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man and example to mankind,” Chhina said. “I know we have this day to celebrate what Martin Luther King Jr did. I think MLK Day is a national holiday because he is the one that showed everyone skin color doesn’t matter.”
Advancement of civil rights
Amanda Grimmius, Sophomore
January 16, 2017
“Martin Luther King Jr. Day is important because as we look back on what he accomplished, we see how far we’ve come in terms of civil rights,” Grimmius said. “I believe we celebrate this day to honor a great man, but also to remind others they can make a difference, too.”
A national hero
Reece Trevino, Sophomore
January 16, 2017
“I know that Martin Luther King day is King’s birthday and we celebrate it to remember a national hero for all races,” Trevino said. “We celebrate this day to remember what he has done in our country for all races.”
Remembering a legend
Logan Lewis, Freshman
January 16, 2017
“This day is a day to honor the legend Martin Luther King Jr. and how he helped our country,”Lewis said. “He was a major figure in our countries history because he was able to improve the lives of many people in our country.”
Remembering a major historical figure
Wesley Hinton, Freshman
January 16, 2017
“This is a day to honor Martin Luther King Jr. who fought for the equality of all races,” Hinton said. “We celebrate this day to remember his contributions to history. He was a major figure who helped get equal rights for all races.”
Holiday of honor
Blake Deffenbacher, Freshman
January 16, 2017
“I know about this day because throughout my life I have heard about it,” Deffenbacher said. “We celebrate this day because a lot of people really value what Martin Luther King did and a holiday is a good way to honor him.”
Leave a comment sharing your thoughts.
For more articles please read, FC basketball player shares struggles of season-ending injury.
This writer can be reached via email: Matthew Sue.
