Legacy. It’s what we all aspire to achieve before we leave this earth – something that we can leave behind for our children, and their children, and their children to remember and inherit. The way in which we move throughout the world, striving to be a light in the lives we touch.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was able to do this all before the age of 40.
King dedicated his life to the nonviolent struggle for racial equality in the United States, and every year on the third Monday in January we celebrate his birthday through service – honoring his legacy by volunteering in our respective communities. Making it a “Day On”, rather than a day off.
But King’s legacy goes beyond spending one day volunteering. It’s about the continued work of ending the racial and economic divide for all, and how we can live amongst one another equally. Knowing that it’s clear that we have work to do that extend past King’s birthday.
So, let’s do more. Not only to honor King but because future generations need us. Here’s how to make that happen.
- Get active in your community by lending a hand to those in need or mentoring the youth. Add to Dr. King’s vision of a ‘beloved community’ by working to make a difference in yours.
- Diversify Your Reading List.Read more content from Black authors. Need to know where you can do this? Check out this list and add it to your own personal library.
- Read “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”This is one of Dr. King’s most famous writings and it really details why we must take direct action to break unjust laws. He details why we can’t just sit around and wait for justice or equality to arrive- we have to make it happen ourselves. Educate yourself so that in the future you’re able to take the correct approach on fighting for what is right.
- Out with the Old. Do a deep purge of your wardrobe and donate those clothes to help keep someone warm during the winter season.
- Listen to “I Have A Dream.”This is Dr. King’s most famous speech and the words spoken in it are still very relevant today. Take the time to listen to this great work in its entirety- it’s sure to inspire you to get out there and be a part of continuing the dream of Dr. King, but honing in on your own dreams as well.
