Day of Remembrance: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Making the Dream a Reality

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—a Baptist minister, a courageous civil rights leader, and, in 1964, the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Tragically, his message of peace and unity was met with violence; he was assassinated in 1968. Yet, his legacy continues to inspire us decades later to live out the vision he shared in his iconic 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech: a world where we strive to eliminate biases and prejudices formulated solely on the basis of skin color rather than character. More than 60 years later, the journey to make that dream a reality remains our collective responsibility.

A Personal Journey of Perspective

We are all shaped by our lived experiences and the lessons of our upbringing. Like my parents, I was born in the South. I was raised in an environment where I was taught to dislike and distrust others based on their race. I hold no delusions about this; I recognize that specific negative experiences were used to justify stereotypes and incorrect judgments of an entire group of people.

To "betray" those early lessons—to choose forgiveness over discrimination and to prioritize character over color—is a difficult mountain to climb. However, it is a peak that can be conquered. For me, changing my environment was the catalyst for changing my perspective. By stepping outside the world I knew as a child, I began to dismantle the biases I had carried for years.

Growth Through Global Connection

Remaining open to different ethnicities and cultures has been the cornerstone of my personal growth. Traveling internationally has offered me a true glimpse into the beauty of our differences, and I have learned to embrace them. I am still learning every day to look beyond the surface to find the true character of a person. It is a beautiful world when you strip away the stereotypes that so many refuse to let go of.

The Challenge

Dr. King’s holiday is traditionally memorialized through service, marches, and reflection. Today, I challenge you to push past your comfort zone. Ask yourself why you hold onto specific stereotypes or the feelings associated with disliking someone based on their background. Consider the common stereotypes about your own culture: do they represent you as an individual, or are they an overgeneralization of your race?

Let us make Dr. King’s dream a reality. I challenge you to see the world through a different lens and be willing to change your own based on what you truly discover and experience.

Personal Challenge & Reflection

Take a moment to consider your own journey. There are no right or wrong answers—only honest ones.

Identify a Comfort Zone: What is one stereotype or bias you’ve held onto since childhood? Where did it come from?

Flip the Lens: Think about a common stereotype people might have about your culture. How does that generalization fail to represent who you are as an individual?

Take Action: What is one small way you can "change your lens" this month (e.g., reading a book by a diverse author, visiting a new cultural center, or starting a conversation)?

Test Your Knowledge: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Unique Distinction: Which honor makes MLK one of the few Americans (and the only non-president) to be recognized with?

Federal Observance: In what year was Martin Luther King Jr. Day first observed as a federal holiday?

State Recognition: Which state was the last to officially recognize MLK Day as a paid holiday in 2000?

Academic Gift: At what age did Dr. King enter Morehouse College? (Hint: He skipped the 9th and 12th grades!)

A "Day On": What tradition is now legally associated with this holiday to encourage community involvement?

Answer Key: 1. A solo federal holiday and a memorial on the National Mall. 2. 1986. 3. South Carolina. 4. Age 15. 5. A National Day of Service.