Impact MLK Has On Students Today

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great leader and is still a role model for all men, women, and children. He not only stood for people of color, but he actually stood for all the people who were disregarded. He fought for equity of all who didn’t stand up for themselves. MLK became a voice for them and fought for their rights. He inspired the whole country with his very famous speech “I Have a Dream” speech. He urged everyone to stretch themselves outside their comfort zone and have their own dreams. He left a legacy of not only dreaming but also doing. We asked an elementary school student, a middle school student as well as a high school student about what do they think about MLK Jr. and how he impacts them, 53 years after his death. 

Elementary Student’s Perspective:

Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist in the Civil Rights Movement. He used non-violence to fight for his rights. He spoke all over the country about colored people and white people together. His most famous speech today is “I have a dream”. Martin Luther King Jr. was an inspiration to other people to fight for their rights just like Rosa Parks. Martin Luther King taught people that white and colored people are equal and that you shouldn’t be a higher priority if you are white or colored. Even in today’s world, his teachings apply. You should never discriminate others for any reason. Remember everyone is equal. If you are being discriminated, stand up to whoever is discriminating you. In my school, we have an assembly where we sing spiritual songs at the time and talk about Martin Luther King. Every year there is one fifth grade class that talks to the school about him. So that they know the impact he made on this country. Today, schools all over the country take a day off to remember Martin Luther King Jr.

Middle School Student’s Point of View:

I speak for most middle school students when I say that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is primarily a day off. But it isn’t just an opportunity to sleep in, but it also allows us to stop for a moment and consider what we are doing, not for ourselves, but for the community. To quote the man celebrated and honored on this day, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” From a students’ standpoint, this means community service. In my middle school, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an opportunity to do more community service and to contribute to society even if you aren’t benefitting from these contributions. This is a great opportunity to get hours for National Junior Honors Society and for any leadership classes. Overall, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is definitely a great day.

High School Student’s Point of View:

During a summer trip to the Civil Rights Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, I was brought face to face with the struggles African-Americans had to face. The fact that our country started from fundamentally racist roots to the generally accepting society it is today, is a huge victory. This wouldn’t have been possible without the activists, abolitionists, and protestors throughout our history. Martin Luther King Day is a day to remember Martin Luther King Jr., and the debt we owe him for rising up as a peaceful leader to unify the minority voices. But this is also the day to remember the people Dr. King represented, anyone who has felt marginalized and anyone who has taken the risk to speak out for what is right. As a woman of color, I can wholeheartedly appreciate the steps people before us have taken to ensure that everyone is treated equally. I see Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a day to ensure that coming generations do not forget what it took to get to where we are today, and as a day to ensure that we consciously continue to uphold the legacy of acceptance and love.

We were glad to see that today's generation not only knows the sacrifices made by activities like MLK Jr. but appreciate them too. MLK’s work and our work is not done yet. Our world still needs equality and equity among the whole human race. We are hopeful that our young generation will bring that to this planet so that we can focus on things like innovation, growth, and forward movement as ONE WORLD.