As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., let’s do a retrospective of the sights and sounds of that era. (If you were not yet born, recall the most important fact you learned about MLK’s work).
Remembering Martin Luther King’s Work
I remember these beautiful thousands of people dressed in Sunday best, singing “We Shall Overcome.” Also, as a young ‘tween, I vividly recall fire hoses of pressurized water being turned on these peaceful marchers. The crowds of people kept walking in quiet, orderly, non-violent protest. They never turned violent or gave up. This was my first acquaintance with the First Amendment’s right to peacefully assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances
Remembering Martin Luther King’s Words
About non-violent protest, King said, “…non-violence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time—the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression.”
King said this about skin color: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
What a Difference One Person Can Make
We can affect our world for good or evil. Somehow, Americans have forgotten to think for themselves and ask, “Is this the right thing to do?” For example, is it right to persecute an individual? (No, it is not). Is it right to protest a cause peacefully? (Yes, it is). Is violence the expected action we should take to resolve issues? (No, it is not).
What we believe is how we will behave. I remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as one who publicly showed his beliefs by his behavior to affect America for the good.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
Credit: https://genius.com/Traditional-transcriptions-we-shall-overcome-lyrics
Join the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/commonsensecivics