7 ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Many consider Martin Luther King Jr. Day as nothing more than a day off from work. But there are many ways that we could remember and celebrate the life of America’s greatest civil-rights leader.

1. Educate yourself. Read a biography of King’s life. If you already have, read a biography of Gandhi, one of King’s chief influences in his fight for civil rights. If you don’t have the time to read an entire book, read (or re-read) Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Civil Disobedience
   ,” a chief inspiration to MLK’s non-violent approach.
2. Watch a documentary about MLK or the civil rights movement in general. Check the cable listings for this coming week and you’re likely to find several choices. Alternately, your local library is bound to have VHS or DVD choices on the subject.
3. Watch his “I Have a Dream” speech. It’s available on YouTube and several other sources. Sure you’ve seen it several times before, but the speech is so powerful it’s tough to take for granted. Watch it again and pretend it’s your first time. It will send chills up your spine. “I have a dream today!”
4. Attend a house of worship. Even if you’re not a regular churchgoer, make this important holiday an excuse to put on your Sunday best. Find out which local churches have special Martin Luther King Jr. Day services. Bring the kids and have a special family day.
5. Celebrate with your community. Most communities have special events and activities planned for MLK day. Talks, film screenings, discussions, and community service activities make for a great way to celebrate the ideals that King fought for. The United States govornment’s MLKDay.gov has several resources for individuals and organizations.
6. Have a birthday party. MLK day is observed on the third Monday of January, around the time of King’s actual birthday, January 15. So why not make it a birthday party? Play gospel music, make lots of southern food and live it up!
7. Return to segregation. Not literally of course, but perhaps mentally. As you go about your daily duties on Martin Luther King Day, do them as if segregation was still the norm: whites-only restaurants, movie-theaters, bathrooms, sitting at the back of the bus. Regardless of your race, gender, religion, age, or sexual orientation, think of yourself as the minority. Think about what it must have been like to be on the short end of segregation. This would be a powerful reminder of how important Martin Luther King Jr. was to civil rights and society in general.

Tagged as: holidays, Martin Luther King, religious freedom