In searching for words to best articulate our posture towards MLK Day, we thought Latino Network did an excellent job so we’re sharing their thoughts to start:
As we approach MLK Day, we invite all to spend time serving and reflecting on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his wise words, and our collective resilience.
Martin Luther King Day was first officially celebrated on Monday, January 10th, 1986. Congress then designated the holiday as a national day of service, making every third Monday of January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a “Day On, Not a Day Off”.
As we enter the third year of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for community efforts continues. Coming together is important for ensuring the safety and success of our community as a whole. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
Our understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion advancement is that is occurs at the individual, interpersonal, systemic, and institutional levels. For MLK Day, we encourage you to consider the following:
Spend time in reflection through contemplation or journaling.
Meet a neighbor today or deepen an existing relationship. Rake some leaves, pick up trash, or drop off a gift with an invitation to talk more.
Attend a community event that is connected to addressing inequality. In our search of the internet, we found that PDX Parent did an excellent job capturing a range of family-friendly service activities. Read their article here.
If you have the day off and are returning to work on Tuesday, discuss what others did to serve or reflect upon the day.
We hope you enjoy Martin Luther King Jr. day as a time for service and reflection!