The Delta Collegiate celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy on his birthday.
By April Hernandez
Delta College closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most notable civil rights activists. Recognized in 1986 as a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a day of service on the third Monday in January.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA; an era characterized by racial discrimination and segregation laws known as Jim Crow laws. He grew up in a family deeply rooted in the Baptist Church, following the footsteps of his father, a Reverend, who led him to activism within the civil rights movement, fighting for racial equality.
Known for his peaceful and kind demeanor, Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves as a reminder for individuals to contribute to their communities through volunteerism and acts of kindness, echoing the principles of King.
To honor his legacy, people can engage in volunteering at local organizations, highlighting education and equality, and nurturing a sense of community through kindness and compassion. King’s impactful initiatives, like voter registration drives, educational programs, and community-building events, exemplify the spirit that continues to inspire positive change.
King’s civil rights contribution began in the mid-1950s with the Montgomery Bus Boycott, sparked by Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to yield her seat to a white man. Black community leaders, including a young Martin Luther King Jr., organized a boycott of the city’s public buses. The goal was to protest racial segregation on public transportation and demand equal treatment for Black passengers. As part of the boycott, Black people did not use city buses, leading to a significant economic impact on the transit system.
King entered Morehouse College in Atlanta at the age of 15. In 1948 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He continued his education at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. There, he completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1951. He earned his doctorate in Systematic Theology from Boston University, becoming Dr. King.
In 1957, King and other civil rights leaders founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). They sought to enhance efforts for civil rights reform. The SCLC played a central role in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This is where King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
In 1964 King became the youngest recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for his work combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. The Nobel Peace Prize, renowned for honoring individuals promoting global harmony, highlighted King’s exceptional dedication to advancing civil rights, equality, and justice.
On April 4th, 1968, King arrived in Memphis, TN to march with Black sanitation workers at the Memphis Sanitation Strike. The strikers wanted better wages, improved working conditions, and union recognition. Tragically, it was while preparing for this event that he was assassinated. Kings’ death marked a profound loss for the civil rights movement in America. But, his legacy continually symbolizes the ongoing fight for human rights and social justice.