*I partnered with Oriental Trading Company to give you an idea of how to share MLK Jr. day with your family by using one of their products. Even though the product I received was free, all opinions are solely mine.*
Martin Luther King Jr was a civil rights leader, as well as a visionary. His I Have a Dream Speech outlined his dreams and wishes he had for equality in this country. The holiday is an opportunity for you to teach your children about the significance of a great leader.
Have you ever read the entire I have a dream speech? The great thing about it is that it includes everyone.
It is not just a holiday for minorities.
Reading it is essentially a (free) lesson on diversity for your children. Here are a few great points:
“…But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.”
Yes, sometimes life throws things our way isn’t fair, but we must press on.
We live in a great country that affords us many opportunities.
Never give up.
“ Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”
Unfortunately, in the past year, there has been a rise of tragedy in the world, especially concerning race relations.
It’s time to be change agents. Instead of debating politics and what we disagree on, we need to stick together as a nation instead of allowing negativity to make us more divisive.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
This particular quote will never go out of style.
People need to be judged by what they show us (character).
People are just people; their skin color does not show us what kind of person they are. There are good and bad people in every race. This is an especially important point to drive home considering the race relations issues we’ve had in this country.
“When we allow freedom to ring—when we let it ring from every city and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last, Free at last, Great God a-mighty, We are free at last.”
Martin Luther King Junior’s speech is so popular because he had a vision for all people. A vision that we would treat each other with respect, despite our differences.
Are you looking for a fun way to teach these concepts to your kids? Why not have them write down what their dreams are? There are several resources available that are great for home or the classroom.
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How will you share the meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. day with your children?
This is an important discussion to have with kids and his famous speech is such a great way to do that. Thank you for this post!
I agree. Thanks for stopping by Naya.
It’s sad how people are still categorized but I know it’s up to us to show, teach and share his legacy and God’s love with future generations.
Amen Patricia. We have a big job.
I love this and will definitely be using this to teach my daughter <3
Thanks Brittany!
This is a beautiful way to break this down for kids. In light of everything happening on Friday, this post and this day are so timely.
Thanks Rachel. I agree. More love, less hate, even when we agree to disagree. We need another great leader like this who is truthful and unapologetic.