MLK DAY: What it is and what you can do locally
Puppets of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 2006 May Day Parade in south Minneapolis. Photo by Michael Hicks (Creative Commons).
Dr. King's transcendent oratory style served as the definitive narration to our nation's struggle for racial and economic justice for the poor as well as for all races and ethnic groups. King, who was assassinated in 1968, once said, "Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Twenty-six years later, many Americans recognize King's legacy by spending a day in service to their community, or sharing stories of triumphs, aspirations of social equity and celebrating our cultural heritage through joyous, engaging events.
The Twin Cities is no exception. From one end of the metropolitan area to the other, opportunities abound for those wishing to attend and participate in events which highlight societal change and cultural leadership. In Minnesota, there are many celebrations that include family-friendly, civic engagement and celebratory events.
Here's a (partial) list of events you can attend:
SATURDAY:
- 4th Annual MLK Day of Service - Finding Unity in the Community
- Dr. King's Dream, a free performance at Mixed Blood Theater
- 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert - honors the late Dr. Reginald Buckner, former University of Minnesota music professor and founder of the MLK, Jr. Concert at Ted Mann Concert Hall.
- Dr. KingPIN - Mixed Blood Theatre FUNraiser, inviting individuals and teams to bowl for charity at Memory Lanes.
The state's 'creme-de-la-creme' event will be this:
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide Holiday Celebration: Looking Back... Moving Forward: I Am My Brother's Keeper!
The event begins with a rally for youth (and those who love them,) at Central HS which then becomes a march to Concordia University, half a mile away. It'll run all day and should have something for everyone to engage in and enjoy.
- 3rd Annual HBCU College Fair (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) - St. Peter's AME
OCCUPY THE HOOD MLK Day March and Rally for Jobs & Housing & Justice — Rally at noon at Salvation Army Harbor Light (1010 Currie Ave. No) and March to Mpls. City Hall (350 5th St)
- MLK Reflective Service - Calvary Church of Minneapolis will feature singing and words of reflection
Photo by Effenk (Creative Commons)
And a personal note from Rachel Dykoski: I hope to bring my kids to part of the day's festivities. You can too. Ain't nuthin' too it, but to just do it. I think President Barack Obama said it best at the dedication of Rev. Dr. King's monument on the national mall last year, "Nearly half a century has passed since that historic March on Washington, a day when thousands upon thousands gathered for jobs and for freedom. That is what our schoolchildren remember best when they think of Dr. King -– his booming voice across this Mall, calling on America to make freedom a reality for all of God’s children, prophesizing of a day when the jangling discord of our nation would be transformed into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood." YOU can continue the dream. YOU can celebrate. YOU can take action. All I ask is that you keep trying, striving, surviving and loving one another, on this special day and always. |
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Comments
MLK
"Letters from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the best essays written. Thanks for your article on the different MLK celebrations around the Twin Cities.
professional journalists working in collaboration
Check out gandhi's past, he hated blacks , he used the "N word continously" considered them animals and it was well known he slept naked with 12 year old girls- simple self admitted facts! Guy was a fokken monster- just like agnes borrahevv and eisenhower! BTW as a proud black man, I am appaled you use a loser like the adulterer mlk as a show piece- dissapointing!
"professional journalists working in collaboration"- You may want to check a few basic facts on the word professional! Why not use gale sayers as an example of honesty and integrity!
Gandhi ensured that Indians
Gandhi wrote: “In the Durban Post and telegraph offices there were separate entrances for natives and Asiatics and Europeans. We felt the indignity too much and many respectable Indians were insulted and called all sorts of names by the clerks at the counter. We petitioned the authorities to do away with the invidious distinction and they have now provided three separate entrances for natives, Asiatics and Europeans.”
There is a growing tendency to try to portray Gandhi as some messiah who also advanced the cause of black people. He cared less about the plight of black people and his sole purpose was to see Indians receive preferential treatment and laws be amended to that effect; while laws governing black people remained in force. He endorsed the ridiculous notion of white supremacy probably in the hope and belief that it would assist his cause for Indians.
In 1903, Gandhi remarked, “we believe as much in the purity of race as we think they do, only we believe that they would best serve the interest, which is as dear to us as it is to them, by advocating the purity of all the races and not one alone. We believe also that the white race of South Africa should be the predominating race.”
Gandhi like Winston Churchill believed that black people were stupid savages and barbarians who were prone to unprovoked violence. He believed that the oppressed black people were a threat to their own cause and Indians need to save them from themselves. He said “it means that you take them under your (Indian) wing when you have developed that power of non-violence It will be good, if you fire them (black people) with the spirit of non-violence. You will be their saviour. But if you allow yourselves to be overwhelmed and swept off your feet, it will be their and your ruin.”
Gandhi saw himself as repository of.........
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