MEMPHIS, TN --
Take the time to honor Dr. Martin Luther King's values and his revolutionary place in American history. Though he spoke passionately about the unjust social climate facing people of color during the Civil Rights Movement, he also took tangible activist action to encourage change.
Dr. King is celebrated, noted and idolized for his unwavering stance against racial injustice. We close schools and offices, but must remember that MLK Day is more than just a day off. It has become known as a day of service nationwide.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day occurs every year on the Monday nearest his birthday, January 15th. It is a national holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January as a chance to reflect, honor and celebrate Dr. King's legacy.
While today's civil rights landscape still has a ways to go before achieving true equality, MLK's historic contributions to racial justice for Black Americans are undeniable. Too often, this holiday is seen as a day off and little else. But King was an activist and organized who influence is still felt today, which deserves to be recognized on MLK Day and beyond.
Whether you're in Memphis, Atlanta, Selma, Birmingham or wherever you reside, there are plenty of ways to observe MLK Day. Below are a list of examples to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:
Go deeper into MLK's speeches. I highly recommend reading some of his powerful messages that were lesser known speeches and writings.
Organize or participate in a Giving March. Dr. King stood for equality, unity and gratitude. Interact with people you may not be involved with as much and devote your time to helping out the community.
Attend a local MLK parade with the family. Grant the kids the opportunity to be enlightened about the Civil Rights Movement and King's pioneering work. Explain the purpose behind the holiday and why MLK's life is celebrated.
Take in an MLK documentary or film. For those who may not be willing or able to get out, you can simply watch a documentary or film. "Selma" and the "Eyes on the Prize" documentary series are great places to start to reflect on MLK's contributions to America.
Visit the local library. Books galore and for all ages. Many hosts special MLK events on this day.
Donate to organizations working for racial justice and equality. If you aren't able to donate your time, donate your money as it can also make an impact by tangibly helping those who make it their mission to fighting against racial injustice. For example, join a protest, raise funds, or learn more about the work that Black Lives Matter and other organizations are doing to empower communities.
Volunteer your time. It is a day of service to give back and pay it forward. Clean up the neighborhood, serve at a soup kitchen, or volunteer at a local event in honor of King.
Talk to older relatives and friends within the community. Talking with those relatives who grew up in the South could especially be enlightening. Many of you may have family members who are living history that may very well have attended a protest or watched King deliver a speech.
Be creative. Use King's message for the marginalized to inspire your art. Write. Paint. Make music. Play an instrument. However you choose to express yourself, use the day to let your talent be your activism.
Support Black-owned business. There is no equality without equity and Black business owners often face additional barriers to their success because of their race. Help empower individuals by supporting Black businesses in your community or online.
Visit a local museum, landmark or take an informative trip. Many cities have special events and exhibits on display on MLK Day or even put on concerts dedicated to the spirit of King's legacy.
Historical Landmarks and Attractions:
Atlanta
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park is home to many places where Dr. King was born, lived, worked and worshipped. Many of these homes and institutions were a part of his early and adult years. The park consists of dozens of historic buildings including the King Center, King's birth home and family church, as well as the World Peace Rose Gardens, Peace Plaza, Visitor Center, Fire Station No. 6, and BEHOLD Monument.
The King Center - a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the life and memory of Dr. King - was established by the late wife, Coretta Scott King. The organization advocates for MLK Day to be "a day on, not a day off," calling for those who have the day off work to honor King's life through volunteerism. Visit the birth home of Dr. King and see how the house was restored as a historic museum. Then, check out where MLK was baptized as a child and ordained as a minister at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he co-pastored with his father. His funeral was also held here.
Washington, D.C.
If you can make it to the nation's capital, visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History. The museum is free and open to the public.
His most famous speech, "I Have A Dream," was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. It took place just a short distance from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall.
Memphis
Visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis as it tells the story of the people behind the movement through immersive, multimedia and interactive exhibits. It is free to observe the plaza and the balcony where Dr. King was standing when he was killed. For the King Day celebration, the museum allows free entry.
Stop by the Mason Temple (930 Mason Street), where Dr. King delivered his famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech on April 3, 1968, one day before his assassination. Click here to read the speech or listen to a recording.
The I AM A MAN Plaza at Clayborn Temple (280 Hernando Street) is located across the street from FedEx Forum. It honors the people of the 1968 Sanitation Workers Strike, the people who Dr. King traveled to Memphis to support before his assassination.
Every visit to the city deserves a stop by the MLK Reflection Park (2nd/MLK Avenue). The park includes sculptures, water features and historical panels, and is located just a few blocks from the Clayborn Temple and Civil Rights Museum.
Alabama
The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama commemorates the historic 1965 march led by Dr. King and other leaders after the traffic events surrounding "Bloody Sunday." The Edmund Pettis Bridge and Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma are historic landmarks that honor his legacy to include his role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
There are numerous memorials and landmarks to honor Dr. King around the world. From San Francisco and New York City to New Mexico to international countries such as Israel, South Africa, Ghana and India, his impact and influence on the world has left statues, schools and streets placed in his honor.
We are in a tense time. Trust the process.
Today has become one of the most chaotic times we have known as a nation in the days since King was alive. Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to believe. Believe and trust that these turbulent days are a necessary phase in our collective growth as a nation.
In spite of the tensions and uncertainties of this period something profoundly meaningful is taking place.Old systems of exploitation and oppression are passing away, and out of the womb of a frail world new systems of justice and equality are being born. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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