2016 Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemoration Moving Forward with the Legacy

We are going to be looking at different men and women who have tried hard to create fairness, equality, and opportunities for all people.

This is a celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a Baptist minister who led the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. until his death in He led the campaign for equal rights for all citizens. His most famous speech was his “I Have A Dream” speech, given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Dr. King’s Legacy What is a legacy? A legacy is a dream. Dr. King had a dream that one day we would all be equal, and started a strong and courageous movement for equal rights for all people - no matter who you are. There are many others who had dreams similar to Dr. King’s, and who fought just as courageously - some even lost their lives for their dreams, just like Dr. King.

Argumentative Essay We are going to write an argumentative essay about a person who has carried on Dr. King’s dream - his Legacy.

Writing Prompt Write an argumentative essay to support your claim as to who worked the hardest to create fairness, equality, and opportunity for all people. You will select the individual about whom you would like write, based on their actions or deeds. Think about what they have done to show that they care about people and equal rights.

Abbe Pierre Born in France, Abbe Pierre was born into a wealthy family. He became a priest, and in 1942 he helped to hide Jews from the Nazis. He set up a charity to help the homeless.

Malala Yousafzai Malala Yousafzai is a brave young woman from Pakistan who has fought for the right to pursue an education, and for the rights of all girls to be educated. She was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman because of her beliefs in and survived. She continues to fight for equal rights.

Aung San Suu Kyi Aung San Suu Kyi is a Nobel Prize for Peace winner, and an opposition leader in her home country of Myanmar (near China). She has fought against atrocities in her home country, resulting in her imprisonment by the authorities. She eventually won a seat in government.

Benazir Bhutto Born in 1953 in Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto was the first elected female leader of a Muslim country. She fought for open elections, and bravely fought against political corruption until she was killed in 2007.

Desmond Tutu Desmond Tutu was born in Africa in He is a cleric (pastor) who has fought against apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid is segregation and discrimination based on race. (Think - ‘apart-hood’) He wants to make the world a better place for all people. The photo is Desmond Tutu (left) with Nelson Mandela.

Helen Suzman Helen Suzman ( ) was born in South Africa, and was the founder of the Progressive Federal Party, and an anti-apartheid member of South Africa’s Parliament for 36 years.

Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela ( ), was born in Africa. He was a political activist, lawyer, and a brave crusader against apartheid who endured difficult times, including a long period of imprisonment before becoming President in He set up several foundations, including the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Pearl Buck Pearl Buck ( ) was born in West Virginia. She was the first American female Nobel laureate (a Nobel Prize winner). In addition to other foundations she created to help others, in 1964 she established the Pearl Buck Foundation to help Asian children dealing with poverty and discrimination.

Bernard Lafayette Bernard Lafayette was born in 1940, and was raised in Tampa, Florida. He worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., and was committed to a life of nonviolence. He teaches at Emory University, and conducts nonviolent workshops around the world.

Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King ( ) was the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr. She worked side-by-side with her husband, and worked as an activist throughout her life. She also helped people to live lives of peace and justice.

Dorothy Height Dorothy Height ( ) was born in Virginia, and was a civil rights activist who worked to improve the lives of African-American women. In the 1990’s she encouraged young people to join her war against drugs, illiteracy and unemployment.

John Hammond John Hammond ( ) was born in New York City, NY. He was a music producer. He worked throughout his career to provide equal rights for musicians.

Exit Ticket On the index card that you were provided, write the name of the person you would like to write about. Briefly explain why you chose this person.

Sources Biographyonline bbc.com biography.com history.com nelsonmandela.org onevotesncc.org legacy.com