Martin Luther King

Dream on! Celebrating MLK Day While Wondering If He'd Approve of Our Tweets

Ever wondered how Martin Luther King Jr. would react to today’s social media chaos? Let’s celebrate his legacy with style!

As the world reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on his special day, we find ourselves in a whirlpool of events celebrating the 'organizer of the people.' Scholars like Tressie McMillan Cottom and Eddie Glaude have emphasized the struggles for civil rights and how critical it is to celebrate King’s monumental contributions while also understanding our modern world. Speaking of contemporary celebrations, one such uplifting event, ‘Celebrate Unity,’ led by Waymaker Church’s pastor John Dupin, highlighted the timeless wisdom of King, encouraging participants to strive for unity and justice in a society that still wrestles with division.

On January 19th, a candlelight vigil at Rice University brought King's vision to life, featuring a moving keynote and heartwarming performances, proving that art still plays a vital role in honoring such a significant figure. The energy in Kraft Hall was palpable, with poetry and music reminding us all that King's dream is not just a historical footnote but an ongoing mission. It seems everyone’s embodying King’s ethos, including renowned civil rights expert John a. powell, who thoughtfully articulated how to bridge the gap between King's Day and his message, pushing us into critical conversations about race and belonging in today's rapidly changing climate.

Just when you thought the inspiration couldn't get any deeper, the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Korea hosted their commemoration too, underscoring that King’s message transcends borders and resonates globally. In Washington, accomplished figures like Robert F. Kennedy have passionately pointed out how King's legacy is a powerful weapon against hatred and injustice. On this day, as people around the globe reflect on King's extraordinary life, we all must ask ourselves: Are we embodying unity in actions, thoughts, and social media posts?

Now, before you start dialing up your social media hype, consider this: King was not just a preacher but an underappreciated Instagram influencer for civil rights, aiming for engagement not likes! Also, here's a fun fact for trivia buffs: while many celebrate MLK Day on the third Monday of January, it was only officially recognized as a public holiday in 1983. Let’s honor King by making our lives a testament to the dream he spoke of and spread it further with every tweet, share, and post!