Blog Layout
"Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Embracing his Legacy Through Reflection, Action, and Community Engagement"
marc beasley • May 1, 2024
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Baptist minister and one of the most impactful Civil Rights activists in the 1960s. He was a leader who believed in nonviolent, peaceful protest to end racial segregation and provide people of all races with opportunities for a better life. Every third Monday in January, we as Americans honor one of the most important leaders of our modern time. This year, take some time to learn about Dr. King’s mission, and discover some ways to continue his legacy in your everyday life.
Why We Observe MLK Day Every January
Dr. King’s birthday was January 15, so we celebrate his legacy on the third Monday of his birth month. MLK was all about taking a stand for humanity, compassion, and justice. He discussed these and other values in many of his influential works, like his “I Have a Dream” speech, Nobel Peace Prize lecture, and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” writings.
As a spokesman for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, he helped fight for the integration of Alabama’s city buses. He helped plan the March for Jobs and Freedom, or the “March on Washington,” which brought out about a quarter-million people to the National Mall in our nation’s capital. During this even, MLK delivered his well-known “I Have a Dream” speech.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
use this day to pause and reflect on who you are, what you stand for, and what legacy you want to leave behind for your community. There are many ways—small and large—that you can honor Dr. King’s work this January. Take a look at our list and find ways to continue his legacy in your life.
Look for where you can give, not receive
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in fighting for the wellbeing of all mankind. He encouraged performing good deeds for his community—regardless of any possible reward. This MLK Day, look for places where you can give back.
You can start by donating food or clothing to your local homeless shelter. Or, you can volunteer some of your time at a local non profit organization. Dr. King’s legacy shows us that when we work together and support each other, we can make a better world for future generations. Donating your time is a great way to show your support.
Learn your nation’s history
It’s always important to know where you came from, so you can better appreciate the progress. Start by learning more about your nation’s history. You can read books about Dr. King from your school or local library—or even do a quick internet search!
Visit a museum to explore the work of Civil Rights Leaders. Watch a documentary to learn about the past and what our ancestors endured to bring about the world we live in today. Or, if you have older family members who lived during Dr. King’s time, interview them to hear their experience! Learning about the past can be a great way to put things into perspective about how far we have come as a nation.
Remember Dr. King’s message of kindness and respect for others
Because we honor civil rights leader, Dr. King on January 21 this year, it’s important to remember the man who sparked such impactful events. Learn more about his message and his mission by reading, watching, or listening to some of his revered works.
Rewatch the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, or spend some time reading and reflecting on other pieces of Dr. King’s published work. That way, you can remind yourself of the original message. It can be a good way to instill some of MLK’s good values in your everyday life.
Have a dialogue with your family and friends
After you remind yourself of the history of Dr. King’s work and his message, then it’s time to continue the conversation. Discuss your thoughts in MLK’s words and actions with your closer friends and family. Ask them what they think about MLK’s legacy. Ask them about some of their favorite leaders who made an impact on their lives.
Think about the following questions and continue the dialogue on how we can better our world:
How would someone like Dr. King impact our current generation?
What are some issues our society is still having today?
What can we do right now to help create a better world for our future generations?
Get active
Dr. King was all about speaking up for what is right and peacefully protesting injustices in his world. To honor Martin Luther King, we can all learn how to get involved in our society and stand for what we believe in.
Become a part of the movement for a better tomorrow. Join your local Civil Rights or social justice organization and make your mark on your community. Giving your time to organizations like these are a great way to get active and help find a solution to many of our community’s issues for obtaining peace, justice, and equality.
Be your own version of MLK
We can all take some inspiration from Dr. King and become leaders in our own communities. Ask questions and explore different possibilities about how better our society can become. When something does not seem right or moral, do your job by challenging it. Ask others, “Is there a better way of doing things?”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Martin Luther King Jr., Letters from Birmingham Jail
Do your part to fight for what is right and fair. Defend those being mistreated, and pass on MLK’s teachings of kindness and respect. Be an example to your peers, and see how many will follow suit.
Observing MLK Day with your kids
Looking for ways to observe MLK Day with your kids? Your children can learn from Dr. King’s legacy, too! Together, you can write letters to your state representatives to remind them of how important it is to keep MLK’s message alive even today.
You can also participate in various service events hosted by organizations like your local NAACP. You can meet new people in your community and discuss how MLK and other civil rights leaders have impacted our society by serving their communities in the past.
For younger children, there are also many options for books and movies that you can enjoy with your family to spark the conversation about MLK’s legacy, like Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Our Friend, Martin.
Keep the Legacy Alive
This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, do
To truly honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we must actively engage in promoting equality, justice, and peace. This can involve participating in peaceful protests, advocating for policy changes, and working towards social and economic equality for all
going to a commemorative march or performance in your area. There are many movies and books that detail King’s life if you’re interested in learning more. Finally, you can continue his work by supporting Black-owned businesses and causes that fight for racial equity
Visit a museum to explore the work of Civil Rights Leaders. Watch a documentary to learn about the past and what our ancestors endured to bring about the world we live in today. Or, if you have older family members who lived during Dr. King’s time, interview them to hear their experience!
You might also like
Getting your driver’s license can be an exciting process, but also one that requires a lot of preparation and responsibility. The process varies slightly depending on where you live, but generally, these are the steps: Understand your State’s Requirements: Every state has its own set of rules and regulations for getting a driver’s license, especially for new drivers under the age of 18. The specifics can usually be found on your local DMV website. Take a Driver’s Education Course: Most states require teens to take a driver’s education course. These classes provide necessary knowledge about traffic rules, driver’s safety, and operating a vehicle. It often includes both classroom (or online) learning and driving practice. You can consider enrolling in a reputable driving school like CIS Driving School to get professional instruction. Apply for a Learner’s Permit: Usually, at the age of 15 or 16, teens can apply for a learner’s permit. This typically involves passing a written test based on your state’s driving manual. With a learner’s permit, you can practice driving, but usually under certain restrictions (such as having an adult present in the vehicle). Practice Driving: With your learner’s permit, spend plenty of time practicing driving. The more practice you get, the better driver you will be. Some states require a certain amount of practice hours before you can apply for a driver’s license. Take the Driving Test: After you’ve practiced driving and you’re confident in your skills, you can schedule your driving test at the DMV. The driving test usually includes a vision test, a written test (if not previously taken for your permit), and a practical driving test where you will drive with an instructor and be scored based on your abilities. Apply for Your License: Once you’ve passed the driving test, you can apply for your license. This usually requires paying a fee, and may include other requirements such as providing proof of insurance. Remember, getting your driver’s license comes with a great deal of responsibility. Always obey the rules of the road and be a safe, cautious driver.
Knowledge And Drive Tests Preparation Safe Driver Checklist Before obtaining a California driver’s license (DL), passing knowledge and drive tests is essential to demonstrate understanding of road rules and safe driving practices. Here are resources to aid in your preparation. Prepare for Your Knowledge Tests To succeed in knowledge tests: Review the California Driver’s Handbook: This comprehensive resource covers crucial information. Dedicate a few days to absorb its contents. Read Test Questions Carefully: Questions have one correct answer, with other choices either obviously wrong or not appropriate. No trick questions; answers are derived from the handbook. Stay Calm: The DMV aims for your success. If you miss a question, the field office employee can guide you to the correct answer’s page. Resources: California Driver’s Handbook: General driving skills and road rules. Samples of Driver’s License Knowledge Tests: Practice tests for various licenses and classes. Motorcycle Driver Handbook: Information for the motorcycle DL knowledge test. California Commercial Driver Handbook: Materials for the commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge test. DMV YouTube Playlists: Visual resources for better understanding. Additional Testing Materials: Supplementary material to assist in knowledge test preparation. Prepare for Your Behind-the-Wheel Drive Test First-time DL applicants and others meeting specific conditions must pass a behind-the-wheel drive test. This evaluates your ability to safely operate a vehicle, use safe driving habits, and apply traffic laws in real-life situations. Drive Test Components: Pre-drive Safety Check: Ensures your vehicle meets minimum safety standards and you’re familiar with its operation. Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE): A behind-the-wheel test with a DMV examiner assessing your driving skills. Additional Drive Test Types: Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (SDPE): For applicants with physical, mental, or vision conditions, or lacking skills impacting safe vehicle operation. Area Driving Performance Evaluation (ADPE): Restricts your driving to specified areas upon successful completion. Resources for Drive Test Preparation: California Driver’s Handbook: General driving skills and rules of the road. California Motorcycle Handbook: Information on safe motorcycle operation. Need something else? Get an Instruction Permit: If you’ve never held a DL, obtain a provisional instruction permit for at least six months before applying for a California DL. Renew Your DL: Learn how to renew your DL as the expiration date approaches. REAL ID: Starting May 7, 2025, a federal compliant card (e.g., passport, military ID, or REAL ID) is required for domestic flights and access to some federal facilities. For further assistance, visit CIS Driving School.
Instruction Permit Requirements To decrease motor vehicle collisions involving teens, a special “provisional” driver license (DL) and instruction permit are issued to minors. A minor is a person under 18 years old. To obtain a provisional instruction permit in California, you must: Be at least 15 1/2 but under 18 years old. Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL 44) form, which includes your social security number, if eligible. Have your parents or guardians sign the DL 44. If both parents or guardians have custody, both must sign. Present an acceptable birth date/legal presence document or identity document. Refer to the California Driver Handbook or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website at www.dmv.ca.gov for additional information. Provide a certificate of completion of driver education or enrollment in an integrated driver education/driver training program issued by the school providing the instruction. If your driver education or driving training courses were taken in a state other than California, DMV may accept a To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools (DL 33) form completed by the out-of-state school. You may obtain a DL 33 form at your local DMV field office, or by calling DMV at 1-800-777-0133. EXCEPTION: If you are at least 17 ½ years old, you may obtain an instruction permit without completing driver education or driver training. However, to get a DL, you must provide proof that you have completed driver education and driver training or wait until you are 18 years old. Pay the required application fee. Pass a vision exam. Have your photograph taken. Give a fingerprint. Pass a knowledge test. To pass the knowledge test, you may miss no more than 8 questions. If you fail, you must wait 7 days (1 week), not including the day the test was failed, before retaking the test. Instruction Permit Restrictions Your instruction permit is not valid until you begin driver training; your instructor will sign the permit to validate it. You may use your instruction permit to practice with a licensed: Parent or guardian. California driver 25 years old or older. Certified driving instructor. The person must have a valid DL in their possession and should be positioned to allow them to take control of the vehicle if needed. An instruction permit does not let you drive alone at any time—not even to a DMV office to take the driving test. DL Requirements To obtain a DL in California, you must: Be at least 16 years old. Have held your instruction permit (in California or another state) for at least 6 months. Provide proof of completion of driver education and driver training. Provide a parent(s) or guardian(s) and instructor(s) signature(s) on your instruction permit verifying that you have completed 50 hours of driving practice (10 hours must be night driving). Refer to the Parent-Teen Training Guide, available at any DMV office or online at www.dmv.ca.gov, for more information. Schedule a driving test online at www.dmv.ca.gov or by calling 1-800-777-0133 during normal business hours. Pass the driving test. If you fail, you must wait 2 weeks, not including the day the test was failed, before taking the driving test again and pay a retest fee for each subsequent driving test. If you fail the drive test 3 times, you will be required to reapply and pay all applicable application fees. DL Restrictions During the first 12 months, a minor cannot: Drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Transport passengers under 20 years unless accompanied by a licensed: Parent or guardian. California driver 25 years old or older. Certified driving instructor. Local laws may further restrict or prohibit driving during specified hours. It is against the law for drivers under 18 years old to use a cellphone or other wireless electronic communication device while driving, including a hands-free device, unless making a call for emergency services or on private property. Exceptions to Restrictions: When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law allows for certain exceptions. For additional information or to start your driver education, visit CIS Driving School.