The legacy of a nation changer

Separate bathrooms. Separate stores. Separate schools.

All of these things and more were part of segregation prior to 1964, but much of that changed due to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“It’s hard to believe that segregation ended because of him standing up for what he knew was right,” Dominic Piserchia, sixth-grader,  commented.

King was a major member of the Civil Rights Movement, which was an effort to let all people have equal rights and to treat everyone fairly, no matter their color or culture.

“I think the meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is that we are supposed to honor him and all the great things he did …” Nate Piccinich a fifth-grader, stated.

King was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. His grandfather and father were both pastors at church. King was known for his nonviolent protests such as the Montogmery Bus Boycott. King drew a crowd of thousands to Washington D.C. for his largest protest. That’s where he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

“I feel like the lesson that Martin Luther King Jr. taught us was to have the right to speak up and stand up for what you think is right,” sixth grade student, Danielle Milo, explained.

We celebrate Kings’s accomplishments on the third Monday of January each year. It’s a federal holiday. King’s words and courage inspired millions to stand up and speak up. Without him, how long would it would’ve taken for anyone to have equal rights?