Students share thoughts on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By Staff
Jan. 17, 2004
Students from each school in Meridian and Lauderdale County, including Christian schools and private schools, were asked to participate in an essay contest about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The topic was, "Dr. Martin Luther King: A Commitment to Justice and Diversity." Annie Burns, an English instructor at Meridian Community College, was chairperson of the essay committee.
Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.
By Samantha Howard
St. Patrick School
sixth grade
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was committed to work for justice and diversity among blacks and whites. He worked for peace and most of all wanted two people, one black and one white, to be at peace with each other and for them to be friends.
Dr. King once said, "I have a dream that one day we will see a little black girl and a little white girl hold hands and be friends with one another." Dr. King thought the laws were unfair and unjust; he wanted a world where segregation was prohibited and where everyone could do what they wanted, no matter what color their skin was. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great example for all.
Dr. King was committed to stop segregation and separation among blacks and whites. To be committed is to stick to something, no matter what the circumstances are. One example of him being committed is his whole life. He knew there were people who wanted to kill him because of his beliefs. Dr. King was so committed, he gave his life for his beliefs.
Dr. King worked for justice. Justice is an equal right to be fair and righteous. He also worked his whole life trying to see that justice was served. He finally made a difference and convinced Congress to change the laws and take down the "Whites Only" signs and let little white girls and boys and little black boys and girls go to school together and be friends. Sadly, he was killed on his mission for justice.
Finally, he worked for diversity. Diversity is differences, not the same. He held protests and rallies to convince America segregation was wrong. At last, he got his wish, but never got to see it finished. Dr. King worked for diversity and dreamed that it would be put aside so the phrase, "United We Stand," would once more be true.
Dr. King did many great things. His work shows that one man can make a difference. Today, we can all go to the same restaurants, use the same water fountains and go to the same schools. His dream came true and he made it happen. Dr. King was a great man. I hope many follow in his footsteps to make his dream come true in the hearts of everyone.
A Commitment
to Justice
and Diversity
By Dalton Newell
Northeast Middle School
seventh grade
I think that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has set such a great example of how we should be both just and diverse. I also think that all American citizens should stand up for our rights and make a "Commitment to Justice and Diversity." It is very important in my life and the lives of others around me to do everything that I do and forever in my life with a very just attitude.
The reason for stressing the fact of making a commitment to justice is for several reasons. The first reason would have to be that if everyone would take the extra step and make this commitment, then there would be no more fighting, no more terrorism, no more jails being built, and as you and I both know, we would go on forever with this list.
The second reason would probably be that you wouldn't see as many people angry with others or bickering with one another. If everyone decided to make that commitment, then everyone would have a sense of peace in their life and would always go around with a smiling, happy face.
The third and final reason would be that there would be fairness in our world. No one would ever cheat on or be cheated on if everyone would just make a commitment.
There are many more reasons, but I have only listed a few, and all of these things could become true in our society if everyone would just make the "Commitment to Justice and Diversity."
I also think, just like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, that we should not only make the commitment of justice, but the commitment of diversity. It's important to be diverse because if everyone was the same, then you couldn't see people's attitudes through the way they dressed, wore their hair, or even talked.
The only way that you would be able to tell would be the way that they carried themselves and by their personality. I think that if people didn't make the commitment to be diverse, then there wouldn't be as much happiness because everyone would see and feel the same thing or way every day. If people weren't diverse, then we wouldn't have as many races, cultures, groups, or clubs as we are very lucky to have today in our communities.
Since we live in such diverse day, all American citizens have the right to be what and act the way they want to, and as you are probably thinking, most of the ways are different. I think that we are very lucky to live where we live today, and I think that just like Dr. King did, we should make the "Commitment to Justice and Diversity."