How will you honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
Did you know that in 1983, legislation was passed to observe MLK Day as a nationwide holiday on the third Monday in January? This year, that will be January 17th, 2022. Where this date has historically granted a day off for our government workers, i.e. banks and postal workers, more privately held companies have begun to grant their employees with time off on this day.
Where some companies tie this time off to service projects or volunteering, most just have the time off and may spend it sleeping in, enjoying time with family or relaxing.
There are many ways we can spend this holiday and below are 4 ways you can spend this day to honor the legacy of Dr. King, most which can be done from the comfort of your own home.
How will you spend it?
… By Learning
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a scholar and minister who led the civil rights movement, was instrumental in ending segregation, and in creating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 & the Voting Rights Act of 1965. You can access a full archive of Dr. King’s writings and speeches online.
… By Watching
The critically acclaimed “Eyes on the Prize” PBS series tells the stories of all the ordinary people, like Dr. King, who made an extraordinary difference, inspiring those still fighting today. The series can be viewed online for free with a library card on Kanopy, or for rent/purchase on Amazon. Many other engaging movies can be found listed on this Amazon Fire blog.
… By Volunteering
Dr. King dedicated his life to the service and betterment of others. In the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy, MLK Day is often referred to as “a day on, not a day off” because it is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, with volunteer projects and opportunities dedicated to his memory.
… By Celebrating
Museums, Universities, and other organizations often hold events, parades, and presentations to celebrate MLK day. While COVID-19 has changed how these celebrations may look the past two years, there are still many opportunities to celebrate virtually. Looking for celebrations in your area? Turn to Google with a quick search! “MLK events near me”. Another great outlet is to check with your local libraries and community centers.
As part of our monthly newsletter, we are excited to add a new feature, a monthly book review, contributed by our BNI DEI Committee members. Be sure to check out our first one submitted by, Tina McNeal-O’Brien (MI) on ‘The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table’ by Minda Harts.
Here is an excerpt from her review: “I love that Minda grabs the reader making them feel like a fellow coworker and extended family. Showing the fine line between work environment and the social constructs that can be crafted in the workplace. This is the concept that many women of color in BNI have personally expressed they have put into practice with their business.”
You can find Tina’s full review here.
