Things to Do on Martin Luther King Jr Day
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Martin Luther King Jr Day is on Monday, and we’re going to use the day to learn about Dr. King and educate ourselves on the rights and freedoms that he fought for. While there isn’t much to do outside of the house, we’ve pulled together a list of options for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own home, including several resources created by the Alliance.
For Children
Do you have younger children? We recently released our very first animated feature, Sit-In! Perfect for families with children ages 5-12, this production celebrates the power of youth to change history through music and storytelling. Three friends apply the lessons learned from the sit-ins of the civil rights movement to climate change activism – fighting for issues that they (and we all) face today.
Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier is a beautifully illustrated book to read aloud to your children. Kid President is always relevant as well.
For Families
Want something more educational but fit for the whole family? Try our Fearless Families workshop for allies and allies-in-training. Using play as a tool for learning, this workshop utilizes our voice, body, and imagination to dig deeper into the difficult conversation of race and injustice in a way that is accessible to youth, the young at heart, and their caregivers!
Be sure to check out Dear Dr. King: Uncertainty in the Air, this year’s Collision project as this year’s nine emerging artists reimagine the summer 2020 Palefsky Collision Project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and all civil rights activists. Registration is required in advance but, as always, the performance is 100% free. These youth “collide” with the themes of a book (in this case the Young Adult novel White Rose) to create their own performance piece.
For Adults
Selma (2014) is a dramatic retelling of the events leading up to the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, while King in the Wilderness (2018) is a documentary that takes a closer look at the final years of Dr. King’s life. If you have a little more time on your hands, try one of Dr. King’s own books, such as Strength to Love, or one written about his life, such as My Life with Martin Luther King Jr. by Coretta Scott King. (For a more extensive list, visit the King Foundation’s complete list of resources.) Did you know that our own late Congressman John Lewis wrote a graphic novel trilogy about his role in the voting rights march? Check it out here!
Finally, because we always need to hear it, we recommend Dr. King's “I Have A Dream” speech. Every year, we seem to hear something new, and this year is no exception.
