We tend to relish the thought of a three-day weekend, as a chance to catch up on some well deserved rest. And although that is tempting, on Monday, January 21 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, CRC would like to encourage people of all ages to actively bring about peaceful change within their communities. Working toward peace on his birthday might be the perfect tribute to a man who worked tirelessly for civil rights. He moved a people – African Americans, and he moved a nation to believe all people regardless of race or economic status have the right to live as equals.
Throughout our communities there are many celebrations and activities planned for the weekend leading up to his birthday and for his day. You can check your schools, community centers, faith-based organizations or your town’s chamber of commerce and local newspaper to find out the various ways you can share in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King’s life work. In Garrison, New York at the Desmond – Fish library, CRC will host an event for the entire family. Families with children of all ages will play cooperative games together as well as other activities that will help teach community building skills. In New York City, students from Manhattan Country School have organized a peace march to honor Dr. King. The March kick’s off at 10:30 a.m. on Dr. King’s birthday at City Hall. On the same day, and close to the CRC office in Nyack, Riverspace will show the thought provoking film “To Kill A Mockingbird”.
You may want to volunteer your time at a shelter, soup kitchen, nursing home, or help a neighbor in need – all bring light to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea of a “Beloved Community”.
Nonetheless, if you do require catching up on rest, you could enjoy your quiet time by meditating on Dr. King’s wise words – that would be a wonderful way to spend time on the couch. However you choose to celebrate this special day, CRC hopes that it will be noted most poignantly by all people walking each and every day in his footsteps to create a nonviolent world full of peace and harmony.