A simple but meaningful poster illustrated the enduring impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Together, Black Leaders and Achievers Club (B.L.A.C.) and Equity Club collaborated to create a space where students could reflect on their aspirations.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January every year. As a federal holiday that dates back to the 1990s, the day serves to commemorate the civil rights activist and everything he did.
King was an activist and pastor who advocated for nonviolence and civil disobedience. Today, he is seen as one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement and a beacon of hope nationwide.
As the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, King led peaceful protests and planned voter registration drives for Black Americans. Some of his notable accomplishments include the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington. It was at the latter protest that King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, describing his hopes for a new America where white and black children could walk hand in hand.
On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had been preparing to lead a march in support of striking sanitation workers. A couple of years following his death, Congress designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday.
This year, Fremd High School took a new approach to honoring King’s legacy. In remembrance of his work, B.L.A.C. and Equity Club displayed slides detailing King’s life and asked students to share what their dream was on a poster.
Equity Club sponsor Olivia Vega explains the inspiration behind the event.
“[King] was really famously known for his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in which he discussed his dreams for equality and equity in America,” Vega said. “So that’s where the ‘Fremd has a dream’ idea blossomed.”
Angela Lathan, the sponsor of B.L.A.C, adds that the goal behind the poster was not only to honor King, but also to have students realize how there is still room for improvement. She wanted them to think about their hopes for themselves and their community.
“You don’t just have to celebrate [King] by taking the day off,” Lathan said. “There are also things that we can do as humans in our society to fight against inequities and inequalities.”
The initiative resonated with students and staff alike.
“It warmed my heart to see how many students got involved and approached the table,” Lathan said. “I loved seeing more and more student and staff involvement as the lunch periods progressed.”
With this space for reflection, Martin Luther King Jr. Day transforms from a day off into a day of action. The poster will be hung around the school, ensuring King’s vision inspires new generations to dream and work toward a more equitable future.
