I remember growing up and eagerly looking forward to the celebrations on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. At a very young age I learned that he was a man of deep faith, strong conviction and genuine love for all humanity.
Today he stands as one of the great leaders in American history. Martin Luther King Jr. is globally respected and deeply admired, and his legacy continues to encourage us to live in ways that reflect his teachings.
As a child growing up in Las Vegas, the day was filled with parades, singing, dance performances, incredible food and a strong sense of community. As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed that opportunities to gather, learn and celebrate Dr. King, Rosa Parks, the civil rights movement, and the ideals of equality and goodness may not be as accessible as when I was young.
This is an important day for everyone. It is not just a holiday for Black Americans. We as Black Americans want to stand side-by-side with our brothers and sisters from every culture.
This holiday gives us a meaningful opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s efforts to make his dream a reality, as well as to remember and celebrate other civil rights leaders for the remarkable transformation that they gifted our great nation.
Every man and woman has been touched, taught and served by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. So, let’s not make this a day off. Let’s make this a day on. Make it a day to engage, educating ourselves in the sensitive parts of our shared history that may have been overlooked.
Ways your family can celebrate
To help us celebrate Dr. King‘s legacy and reconnect with these unifying messages, here are some ways you might commemorate this holiday more deeply.
Often the best ways to commemorate the day are in small and personal ways. We can emulate Dr. King in how we treat one another. How we speak, how we forgive, and how we share positivity are all powerful reflections of what we truly believe.
I was fortunate enough to be taught by my parents that changing the world begins at home. It starts within our own families and extends to those closest to us. From there, it extends its reach to spheres of influence.
Dr. King‘s message of equality can reach our co-workers, friends, church groups and far beyond what we could imagine. Our efforts to keep his dream alive can make a meaningful difference, right where you are.
Here are three easy steps you can consider to explore a more active, thoughtful and meaningful way of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
1. Diversifying friendships
I really value having friendships that reflect a wide variety of backgrounds. The beauty of that diversity has greatly enhanced our family’s perspectives and enriched our lives.
Living in Utah as an African American man, I naturally find myself in the ethnic minority, which has allowed me opportunities to build meaningful relationships across cultures and communities. Diverse friendships have taught my children and me so much about different races, beliefs and traditions.
Getting to know people who are different from us on a deeper level naturally helps us love and respect them more fully.
Yet maybe your circles or families aren’t very diverse. If that is the case, you now can become more intentional — looking to engage with people outside of your typical settings. Inviting people into your life who may see the world differently often brings perspective, growth and understanding. Over time, I also believe this kind of bridge-building inevitably leads to greater equality.
2. Expanding representation
For parents, it can be helpful to take a look at the toys our children play with. Whether it’s action figures, dolls, or video games, consider the variety of people represented.
The same applies to books, shows, movies, music and art. When our children see diverse people portrayed positively, it expands their understanding of the world. This small step can also dismantle negative stereotypes that we may have absorbed as children.
A diverse presence in the home can enlighten and deflect prejudice, especially when there aren’t as many opportunities as possible to have diverse engagement in person. Introducing new stories and heroes can be a beautiful way to help children appreciate others and themselves.
So, choose this holiday to consciously provide opportunities for children and grandchildren to find heroism in people that do not look like them or believe exactly as they do. In addition to Dr. King, I have been inspired by people like Mahatma Gandhi, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland and Nelson Mandela. I’ve also been able to draw strength from people like Anne Frank and Abraham Lincoln, who once said, “I don’t like that man; I must get to know him.”
3. Increasing education
If you are a homebody like me, there are many powerful songs, videos, books and stories about Dr. King that your family can enjoy together. Research anything you can think of surrounding Dr. King’s legacy. This movement was not only led by Dr. Martin Luther King, but it was a movement that he gave his life for, as a peacemaker.
There are also countless documentaries that can take you on a deep dive into some of the lesser-known details of the civil rights movement. You will have a litany of books to choose from about many other great civil rights leaders.
Children’s books are a great way to share facts on a very teachable, sensitive and deep level. My brother Mauli Bonner and his wife Chantel wrote a children’s book called “A Child of God” that beautifully teaches the value of diversity and the divine worth of each child — a way to prompt meaningful conversations about God’s love for all His children.
Thanks to social media, we have immediate access to Dr. King’s speeches. YouTube is a great way to gather with loved ones and listen to some of Dr. Martin Luther King‘s speeches throughout the civil rights movement. Talking after hearing his words directly can be a unifying and powerful experience as a family or group of friends.
For my extroverts, I haven’t forgotten about you. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a great way to engage with your community through service, learning, and unity. Attending local events, volunteering, or joining community discussions helps honor Dr. King’s legacy through action. You can show your respect and honor by attending local parades and community barbecues with a willingness to serve.
Above all, make this day a day to reconnect with family and friends in meaningful and loving conversations. When we do that, in many ways, we are that dream in the making — taking the baton, as we run our leg in the race toward greater equality and kindness.
We are still running the race because we have yet to see his dream fully realized. It will take our best efforts and endurance to overcome our pitfalls and obstacles as a nation.
No matter what is happening in the world, in our community, or even in our home, celebrating Dr. King begins with us. His dream lives on through each of us, and together we can keep his light shining.