For over 100 years Black History Month has been recognized by the nation as the achievements and contribution of Black African Americans and their place is during the month of February. Before black history month there is a very important holiday to many as the federal holiday of Martin Luther King Jr. Some may ask “Well who is Martin Luther King Jr”, He was a civil rights activist who made the biggest impact in our nation today. In 1995 Martin Luther King. started his first activity to help encourage not just the African American community but many others. The young pastor was selected the president of the Montgomery Improvement association and was asked to lead the Bus Boycott. The Bus Boycott was a movement of non violence located in Montgomery Alabama, the protest triggered African Americans following Rosa Parks arrest for refusing to give up her seat for a white passenger. King became the voice for the protest and expressed “fighting with love” even though racial authority sent personal threats and bombing. The role of racism was deeper than imaged during these times as many of the civil rights activities leaders took upon themselves to fight for justice. MLK day is to honor the very man who embodied the vision of “peace and love” and with that he showed tremendous accomplishments alongside Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and many more who stepped up.
Martin Luther King Jr. rose to fame quickly with the famous speech “I Have A Dream” on August 28, 1968. He was steps from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C more than 200, 000 people – black and white people came to listen. Unfortunately, Dr King was assassinated on the balcony of his hotel by a white man. This background is significant to the present time because he is celebrated through his determination, strength, and advocacy to the nation. The MLK parade is celebrated all across the country as a movement of nonviolence, and peaceful protest the community showcases talent, and marching across all around the world to celebrate the man who did the unthinkable to make sure justice was served. The parade happens all over the world to those that day is a start of a new era in the community as we need to have peaceful protesting as many paved the way for our rights. When we think about all the leaders who took upon this role these big impactful names will come to mind but us as the upcoming generation we are the future leaders and following Dr King’s resources to non violence activities will lead us in a positive direction.
