How suburban students think Martin Luther King changed the world
The Elgin Human Relations Commission recognized local students over the weekend with awards for creative ways of honoring black civil rights leader, the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Here are excerpts from the winning essays on "How Dr. Martin Luther King Changed Our World."
Esha Dahal
Who was one of the most important voices of the American civil rights movement? Who ended segregation by using nonviolent actions to overcome injustice? Who made it possible for children of all races to be able to go to school together, for adults of all races to work together, and for all humans, no matter what race or ethnicity, to live and be treated respectfully?
None other than American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King still inspires, and has inspired organizations such as the NAACP to keep his civil rights dream alive now and in the future.
Jadely Martinez
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. opened our eyes and made us see we're the same and not different at all.
... That we are all human and we may have differences because of our skin color, (but) personality is more important than our bodies.
He showed us equality. He was one of the most important people that changed our world for making us realize that if we used our old ways to separate each other there could have been a lot of war between our races.
He was brave enough to have a voice. To show the world what he is made of.
Damaryan Benton
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr.
My dreams and hopes for the future are motivated by Dr. King's inspirational ideas that remind me to have the stamina I have had since childhood. The way I interpret Martin Luther King's quote is to make the best of each situation and have a voice.
I hope to provide leadership to my family, community, and nation. I will be the first person in my family to attend college. I have a broad vision for all humanity. ... As I grew through adolescence, my career ideas gradually progressed. One day, I hope to be a primary care physician.
Not only did Martin Luther King Jr. pave the way for me, he also provided inspiration for millions of other people to succeed.
Escolivia Birungi
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed our world by encouraging (us) to have hope for the future and in humanity, especially in times of adversity, because hope motivates individuals to keep fighting and working to achieve their dreams and goals.
He taught us to never give up on our dreams and that the situation we may be in now is only temporary. He encouraged us to always keep dreaming. He encouraged us to stand up and fight for what we believe in, even when we are taken for granted.
He taught us to embrace change and to accept, appreciate and respect others.
Olaitin Ajayi
The civil rights movement brought everyone who believed in equality together.
Our color doesn't determine who we are. It only shows what we look like. Being black doesn't make me any higher or less of person compared to a white man. Dr. King did not believe in the judgment of people based on the color of their skin.
King's work didn't die with him. It only made the civil rights movement stronger.
When Dr. King delivered his speech in 1963, nobody expected years later history would be made. Barack Obama became the first African-American president and changed the way people think. Dr. King created the road for Obama to walk on.
Morgan Meinicke
He spoke to the people and made his point clear all blacks and whites belong together and shouldn't be separated by the color of their skin.
Just because we are different doesn't mean we should make each other feel like we don't belong when we are perfectly capable of being kind and accepting.
Mr. King said so much to inspire us to change the world that now we all go to the same school, we all share the same bathrooms and water fountains, and we are all friends.
We wouldn't be who we are today without Martin Luther King Jr.'s words of inspiration.
Tyra Lindsey
Martin Luther King Jr. changed the world by standing up for a movement people thought was going to be a lost cause, fighting against segregation with "nonviolent direct action," and by inspiring others to be a part of something that would change our country forever.
He stood up for civil rights in multiple ways. One of the most memorable was when King marched to Washington and spoke to over 200,000 people about his dream of America changing its ways and accepting everyone despite their skin color.
Dr. King's work with civil rights will forever be embedded in the history of the United States, which just goes to show, if anyone put their mind to something no matter how big or small it may seem, it can make a difference.