Martin Luther King Day Traditions

I posted last year on this blog about our family's MLK Day traditions.

Every year, on Martin Luther King Day, we take a trip to the bookstore to purchase books that support the principals of his day and/or books that celebrate notable figures from black history. It has always been an enjoyable and meaningful way to recognize the importance of the day, and avoid having the "just another day off" mentality, which is so easy to pick up.

That said, I came really close this year to chucking the whole thing and staying home. I was tired, and it seemed like an unneccesary spending of money and time, given the number of books we've got here in the house. It was pretty tempting to hide under the covers on a cold day, the kids seemed kind of grouchy and so did I. We could have just snuggled up and read the books that we already had, right?

But, we went to the bookstore anyway, an hours drive away, and I am so glad we did. It seems as if our tradition has now taken on a few new elements, and it would have been a shame to miss out just because we were grouchy.

On the Sunday of MLK Day weekend, our fellowship usually gives tribute to the life and work of Dr. King. (Although the main focus of the service was on the Baha'i holiday of World Religion Day, which was on January 20) Attending fellowship, and embracing that community of liberal thinkers, inspires me to continue on with the traditions and values I was raised with, and is a great asset in the energy of my life. Going to church seems like a good way to remember the life and work of Dr. King.

We have now incorporated a visit to the African American Museum of Southern Illinois into our annual trip. This is a small museum located inside of University Mall in Carbondale. Although the museum is small, you can just feel the energy of the commitment it must have taken to get it up and going when you walk in the door. I hope to see its continued growth in size and quality in the years to come. (As an added bonus, the mall also houses a small science center in the same wing for younger children, making the day even more worth it.)

But the books. The books are the real event. We now own over 25 books that celebrate black history, civil rights, arts and culture, positive role models, and the broader concept of embracing diversity. I feel a sense of pride over this collection, and know that it will be useful for years to come. I also know that once my children are grown, the collection in its entirety will be a wonderful contribution to some library, and we manage to use most of them every year at home, school, and at church as it is.

On a personal level, in the year to year sense, I also enjoy seeing which books my children choose to bring home, and which books I guide them towards. It is sometimes a fine line in the store when we ask, "Which of these books most support the values and principles of the man who this day is named for?"

This years bounty was a little bigger than in years past, but I am pleased with the titles. We purchased 4 books and 1 CD:

King for Kids: School and Family Edition; 2 hours of Martin Luther King Speeches and commentary on CD. I am stoked with this because I think it is so important that voices of those whose words who move us should be heard. I can think of so many uses for these speeches in planning services and children's programs at church, or even at a school)

A Picture Book of Thurgood Marshall by David A. Adler A bonus
Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier

a young person's biography of Malcolm X. I can't remember which one, and the boy has it at school with him. It could have been any of these really. The boy picked this one out, and I was surprised that we didn't already own anything about or by Malcolm X already.

and, A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats. This is one of Keats "Peter" books, and I highly recommend them for young children! I do think that the best way to choose books for young children that support the theme's MLK's visions is to choose children's literature in which a variety of skin colors, races, and/or personal characteristics are represented in a positive light. Choosing themes that relate to your child's life can make it more meaningful to them as well.

and Martin's Big words by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier. A very nice introduction to Martin Luther King.

What we didn't buy, but were tempted to, was Howard Zinn's Young People's History of the United States. These books must make it into our home sometime soon though. Maybe as a birthday present for my almost 11 year old?

So anyway, thats the long winded version of how we spent MLK day, and how we have been spending it for years. One of these years, we will start going to one of the Martin Luther King prayer breakfasts that seem to be present in every community as well. But for now, I am happy to just spend the day with my family.