On January 16th of 2024, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the 28th year. The first official MLK day was marked in January of 1986 and was only seen as a Federal Holiday since 1994 when Congress officially announced MLK Day as a National Holiday of Service. Since then every third Monday of January is known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrating all of Dr. King's accomplishments and the ideals he stood so strongly for. 

Dr. King fought hard for his “nonviolent resistance” to ensure that the future generations of African Americans had the rights that they deserved. King organized marches, sit-ins, and protests with all of his supporters close behind. He also followed his family legacy and became a Baptist Pastor as his father and grandfather were. With a strong faith and a big dream, there was nothing that could stop Dr. King from fighting for the good of his community. The impact that he left will never be forgotten as his contributions helped drive the Civil Rights Movement toward success. He was an inspiring leader and his famous speeches moved crowds to take action and pave the way for a new America where everyone lived in harmony and equality.

Although this holiday gives students across America a day off, it should be seen as a “day on, not a day off.”  In taking this day to honor Dr. King and his legacy, remember what he did for this country and the changes he made, but do not only remember. Take action yourself as he once did. Volunteer and support your communities, as although King fought for so much, our society today is nowhere near perfect. People all around us are suffering from the same injustices that King so fiercely fought to stop. Poverty and discrimination are still prevalent, maybe in different ways than in King's time but are just as tragic. May we take this day as an opportunity to spread awareness and build each other up. Together we can make changes and united we can continue to fight for equality. Dr. King fought for a reason and purpose; let that inspiration drive us to keep his legacy moving and never failing. 

On April 4th, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated for his beliefs and all of his hard work in Memphis, Tennessee. Hate can grow so strong and cause so much grief to this world, but do not surrender to evil. Dr. King overcame and made an incredible amount of change in his time and although his life was cut short as he was only 39, there is still hope in this world and within each of us. The same power that Dr. King used to organize and inspire still lives within each of us. All we must do is uncover our gifts and talents and use them in ways that make changes for the better. 

When the next MLK Day comes rolling around, use your “day on” and your time to advocate for marginalized people. Carry on the dream and legacy that was set for us during Dr. King's lifetime. Don’t let the progress slip away but may it march forward and continue to inspire others through a new generation. Love all and love well as Dr. King once did.