Do you celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day? If you are white, is it really even necessary? I think so.
He was a hero, but not a war hero which is what we are used to. He was a role model for peaceful resistance, of strong and non-violent leadership, and social change. I don’t see him as a civil rights activist exclusively. I see him as a man who believed very passionately in peace, and the power of love.
Last year at this time, we were reeling from the shootings in Tuscon. This year, we are already weary of listening to politicians vie for our attention, votes and dollars. Today, no one is talking about peace.
I wish he were still alive.
Last year, I was mad at Grand Rapids because I could not find a good event to take my kids to and celebrate the man. And it’s because of, and also on behalf of my kids that I want to celebrate. A.P. was taken with MLK very early on, and I want a better, more peaceful world for them to grow up and grow old in.
I am much happier with GR this year, thanks to the good people at the Grand Rapids Public Library.
“Celebrating A Dream of Peace” will be at various locations and times. Hear the books “Martin’s Big Words” by Doreen Rappaport and “The Crayon Box that Talked” by Shane DeRolf. Families can decorate a big crayon with your favorite of Dr. King’s “big words” and add your crayon to the mural display. Craft project will be ongoing throughout the week. Drop off 100% juice boxes for the Kids’ Food Basket and fulfill Dr. King’s idea that “Everyone is great because everyone can serve.” Free and open to the public.
- Thursday, January 12, 2012, 6:00 pm Madison Square Branch – 1201 Madison SE
- Monday, January 16, 2012, 2:00 pm West Leonard Branch – 1017 Leonard NW
- Monday, January 16, 2012, 4:30 pm Seymour Branch – 2350 Eastern SE
- Monday, January 16, 20126:00 pm Yankee Clipper Branch – 2025 Leonard NE
- Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 1:00 pm Ottawa Hills Branch – 1150 Giddings SE
- Thursday, January 19, 2012, 6:00 pm West Side Branch – 713 Bridge NW
- Saturday, January 21, 2012, 11:00 am Van Belkum Branch – 1563 Plainfield NE
- Monday, January 23, 2012, 11:00 am Main Library – 111 Library St NE
If you don’t live in Grand Rapids, and selling your house and moving here before Tuesday is not a viable option, don’t fret.
- Scholastic has a lesson plan about MLK. It’s for grades 3-5 but I’m just going to scale it down a little for my kids.
- There are some neat ideas from Education World, including “Write your own I Have A Dream Speech”. So cool! Last year A.P.’s dream was that “everyone had enough money to buy food”.
- And finally, last year A.P. read an excerpt from Martin’s Big Words. Enjoy
This post is linked up to Works For Me Wednesday.
