Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most influential public figures in American history, and powerfully stands at the forefront of the civil rights movement. To honor King’s work, and remember his achievements when fighting for racial equality, Jan. 18 presents an opportunity to observe his birthday as a nationally celebrated holiday. While promoting fundamental civil rights for People of Color becomes especially influential through movements such as the Black Lives Matter Movement, here is an assembled list of suggestions for allies wanting to meaningfully celebrate the holiday.
Become inspired by King’s work
Honoring King’s work can be a step towards becoming a more thoughtful ally. By studying his achievements and moral values one can become inspired and learn from his previous experiences. Consider reading some of his speeches or written works, such as his most famous “I Have a Dream. . .” (1963) speech or, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (1963). By reading and reflecting on King’s words, it is possible to better understand the impact King had on the world when inherently promoting equal rights and freedoms among all people.
Learn more about the history of racial injustice in America
Books and documentaries can be a great way to learn more about the history of the civil rights movement and the implications of structural racism in America. One possible recommendation is a documentary directed by Ava DuVernay entitled “13th” (2016). The film outlines the history of racial injustice and points out the deeply-rooted problems that lie in America’s criminal justice system. In an NPR interview with DuVernay, she explains the purpose behind the project.
“The idea behind the ‘13th’ is to give people that context so that we don’t make uninformed statements, that we can all work from a place of knowledge to try to get to a place where we just do better as Americans. … The documentary was built for two different kinds of audiences, folks out there that know about this and folks out there that have never heard of it.”
“13th” has gained immense popularity in recent years, and is accessible on Netflix.
Additionally, if you want to gain even more knowledge about structural racism, a great book recommendation is “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander. Within the novel, Alexander examines the rebirth of the new age of slavery through mass incarceration, consequences of the War on Drugs on communities of color and other topics attributed to racial inequality. Alexander states in her preface, “It is my hope and prayer that this book empowers you and allows you to speak your truth with greater conviction, credibility, and courage.”
Give back to your community
Volunteering in your community with nonprofit organizations is an excellent way to uphold King’s legacy. Many organizations have accommodated for the safety of their volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is still possible to help out. One option is joining your local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and volunteering your time with local branches in your area. NAACP of Vancouver has many opportunities for allies to get involved and promote their efforts when supporting civil rights.
Although contributing to your community through public service might not be an option for everyone, there are still ways to give back. Allies may consider donating to Black Indigenous People of Color organizations, such as Color of Change, one of the most well-known nonprofit civil rights advocacy groups. By helping your neighbors and community at large, volunteering or donating is just one way to spark fundamental change.
Own your allyship
Creating an open dialogue about Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, and discussing the consequences of systemic racism with others is an important way for allies to celebrate the holiday and educate others. Start conversations about racial injustice, and discuss pathways for change, or what you can do to bring awareness to racial disparities while recognizing your own privilege. The responsibility of being an ally should not be taken lightly, according to UNLV University Libraries, “Becoming an ally takes a lot of hard work. Simply saying you are an ally is not enough. You must educate yourself about the issues, examine your own privilege, and do the hard work that is involved in reversing that privilege so that you treat others with marginalized identities as equals.”
The above suggestions are effective ways to celebrate MLK Day, and allows you to do more than just enjoy a day off of work or school. During this MLK Day, be thoughtful, educate yourself about King and the civil rights movement, help your community and start conversations about the damaging impacts of systemic racism. Change starts small, but one’s actions could encourage and stimulate change when eliminating inequality on a much greater scale.
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.