Monday, January 15, schools all across the country closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and all the contributions he made in trying to achieve equality in the United States.
King Jr. was a civil rights activist in the southern states during the 1950s and 1960s. He is most well known for his part in the “March on Washington” in which he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.
MLK was fatally shot on April 4, 1968. On November 3, 1983, Ronald Reagan declared that the third Monday in January would become a national holiday.
Martin Luther King Jr. is still seen as an icon and a figure of equality in America, and across the world.
“He [Martin Luther King Jr.] was a good man for many reasons,” senior Nate Maxey said. Students appreciate MLK for many reasons, one of them being the fact that we have a day off in his honor.
“It’s another day for me to sleep in, to be honest,” Maxey said.
Students also use the day to reflect on what he did for this country and how he brought all races together in a peaceful, non-violent way.
“[It gives me] inspiration for equality today,” freshman Davion Holmes said.
Martin Luther King Jr. day is often used as a time to reflect on what has been accomplished for today’s equality.
“It [MLK day] reminds me of civil rights and equality for all races,” freshman Zayd Vestal said, ”Also, I like his moustache.”
Whether students use the day off to reflect on civil rights or use it to sleep in a few extra hours, they enjoy Martin Luther King Jr. day and what he means to the modern world.-Alek Shahbaz