Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Many have learned about Martin Luther King Jr. in school as a historical figure who fought for equality and civil rights. But grade school history classes don’t often dig deep into his philosophy or teachings. MLK Jr. was a leader for the human rights of African Americans from the mid-1950s until he was assassinated in 1968.
During the Civil Rights Movement, King had helped to plan the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington in 1963, pivotal points in the fight for justice. His peaceful protests and moving words lead to landmark legislation through the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1986. The day is meant to remember his work and his teachers. In this blog post, Yellow Bliss Co. shares ways to celebrate and commemorate the day.
Learn More About King and the Civil Rights Movement
There is a reason we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and the best way to learn why is by learning more about him and the Civil Rights Movement. Both he, his teachings, and the movement are much deeper than what is usually learned in history classes. Use this day as a way to learn more by reading books about him and books he wrote.
A good place to start is his famous “I Have a Dream” speech and the “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” You can also learn more about him, his philosophy, and his beliefs in books he wrote, such as his autobiography, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community,” “Why We Can’t Wait,” and “Strength to Love.” There are also books like “Dear Martin” and “Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop” that are great places for younger readers to learn about Martin Luther King Jr.
Give Back to Your Community
Martin Luther King was an avid supporter of uplifting the community and working together to make change. Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by volunteering in your local community. Our founders and team at Yellow Bliss Co. volunteer for many organizations in the community. Founder Susan Myrickwilcox and co-founder Ola Morin-Muhammed both volunteer for the Magnus Charitable Trust, which provides scholarships for underserved high school seniors. Both are also mentors for aspiring women in business.
You can work at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, or at your local institutions like the library. You can also look for local volunteering groups like Mutual Aid to get involved in the community in the long term. You can also learn more about the fight for equality that is still on-going and join local groups that are fighting for equal rights for all groups.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
The Civil Rights Movement brought equal rights for African Americans, and the community continues to make strides today. Supporting businesses owned by minorities is always a great way to give back to groups who are often disenfranchised. As a proud Black-owned business, Yellow Bliss Co. advocates and appreciates the support. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, if you’re planning a celebration, choose a tablescape that celebrates Black Heritage, which includes a table runner, plates, chargers, and cutlery.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. is an instrumental figure in the Civil Rights Movement, helping to bring equal rights and voting rights to African Americans in the United States. The holiday falls on the third Monday of January every year. Each year on this date is an opportunity to learn more about the history and practice the teachings of King. This year, give back to your community and support Black-owned businesses. At Yellow Bliss Co., we love any opportunity to support small and minority-owned businesses.
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