When Was the Last Time That You Listened to a Martin Luther King Jr Speech?

Martin luther king jr

The scariest of times are when history appears to be repeating itself.
In the midst of the news of the day, it is often difficult to not be afraid for where the world is heading. From klansmen who are no longer afraid to be seen in public without their faces covered to brutal police killings of young black men going unpunished, today’s news can sometimes seem worse than the tales of the past.
It should come as no surprise that with all of the current racial tensions in America that there is a renewed sense of interest in the stories of peaceful civil rights leaders and the famous words that they spoke. From the recording of Martin Luther King, Jr’s I Have a Dream Speech to motivational speeches from mayors and governors across the country who are removing confederate statues, an increasing number of pastors, teachers, and parents are looking to the near and distant history to find inspiration. An inspiration that reminds even those who are feeling the most frightened that there are still good people in this country who believe that all men are created equal.
Documentaries that focus on civil rights leaders from the past allow today’s youth to witness peaceful protests and monitor the slow but steady progress that was made decades ago. As both a way to honor the accomplishments that were achieved by civil rights leaders and to motivate a more peaceful approach today, many of these documentaries are popular among Americans of all age. Consider some of these highlights of the progress that has been make in the past, that also serves as a way to motivate the next generation to continue to the fight today:

  • With the help and motivation of the civil rights leaders from the past, today’s peaceful protestors can attempt to follow in the footsteps of those who first fought for the freedom of others.
  • Having role models to follow is important for all causes. Finding the right role models, however, can seem challenging in times when the those who are less noble are gettin s ome much attention on the evening news.
  • A group of four young men first started the sit-in movement in the year 1960 during the Civil Rights Era by refusing to give up their seats at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina.
  • The time for finding good leaders to follow is as important today as it was during the civil rights movement.



  • If you want to find a model for how to act strong in the face of difficulties, you need look nno further than a leader like Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Saying you are a peaceful protestor is not without its challenges. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr. went to jail 29 times.



  • You may already know that it was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that first banned discrimination in public facilities and schools was passed by the 88th Congress.
  • One had to know that the peaceful protest method can take a long time, but will spread across many states. By the end of March, 1960, for instance, the sit-in movement, which started as a single protest, had spread from Greensboro, North Carolina, to 55 cities across 13 different states.
  • Used as example of a large group peaceful protest, in 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. led 2,000 people on a five day, 54 mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Reaching for difficult to attain goals helps build character.



  • Difficult to ignore, the enthusiasm of youth can be a motivating factor.
  • Recordings of King speeches are easily found on You Tube.
  • Every day is an opportunity to demonstrate your respect for all people.
  • A famous letter King penned while he was in Birmingham jail was 7,000 words long.
  • Martin Luther King Jr day was first commemorated on the third Monday in the month of January of the year 1986.

As a parent who is scared to turn on the evening news with the children in the room, you may be struggling with finding a way to stay motivated. Asking your child or grandchild WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?, however, can help you find the way to continue the battle toward equality and the hope for the future.

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