Every third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed. Born on January 15, 1929, Dr King has been celebrated as a Civil Rights leader from the late 1950s into the late 1960s. Dr King believed in non-violent protests against the mistreatment of African Americans by holding marches down main streets in towns like Montgomery, AL, the site where Rosa Parks did not give up her seat on a city bus. Dr King’s “I Have A Dream” speech is one of the most famous, quoted speeches today. It was a call to action for change, a message of hope for all yearning for equal rights.
We take this day to reflect on his teachings, his hope for his people and his fight that sadly ended on a hotel balcony in Memphis, TN on April 4, 1968. It saddens me that his work seems to be forgotten within the last few years George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, Philandro Castile, and Sandra Bland, to name a few that made national headlines. We need to remember Dr King’s words, what he stood for and what he fought for on this day.
Yes, there are comic books out there that tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Montgomery Story can be downloaded on the link, please keep in mind this was published in 1957, so the wording is dated, and published by the Fellowship of Reconciliation. The second recommendation is the story inspired by The Montgomery Story, titled March written by Congressman John Lewis, with Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell. Congressman Lewis joined the non-violent movement after reading about Dr King’s protests and marches, he shares his personal story in the three volumes of March.
This is a day to reflect on the past, help change the present and hope for the future.