MLK Day

Yesterday, Monday, January 16, 2012 was Martin Luther King Day. It is a Federal holiday. The Adult School was closed. Teacher Cynthia apologizes for not posting this before MLK Day.

We celebrate the life of Dr. King because of the work he did to bring peace, justice and civil rights to all people. Dr. King was concerned not only about African-Americans but about all Americans and all the people around the world, as well. He wanted fairness and opportunity for everyone.

This was difficult work and many people were not happy about the work he did. Many people were not happy when his birthday (or the Monday closest to it, to be exact) became a Federal holiday. This day became a Federal holiday in 1983 but it was not observed in all 50 states until 2000.

He is very famous for two of his speeches -

the "I Have A Dream" speech

and

the "Mountaintop" speech.

These are both important speeches. In the first speech, he talked about his dream for a day when we everyone will understand we are all equal. In his second speech, he talked about knowing that one day that dream will come true - but he may not be there when it does. He gave the Mountaintop speech when he was helping garbage workers who were on strike for better conditions. He was assassinated (killed) a few days after his speech.

Sometimes for ESL students, it is hard to understand Dr. King's speeches because he gives his speeches in a special rhythm. You can read some of the words for his Dream speech here in this webquest for students.

You can also read some of Dr. King's quotes here. He speaks and writes in high level English so it might be hard to understand some of what he says.

Maybe everything that Dr. King said and did can be boiled down to this quote, "If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love." (Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, 1967)

Like Ghandi, Dr. King believed in non-violence. He wanted equality and justice and peace for all people. And he did not want to use violence to achieve those goals.

Not easy, right? That's right, not easy.

The good things in life are often difficult but they are the good things and they are worth the work.