Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Today our country honors the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., who advocated for nonviolent resistance to racial injustice.

“Dr. King maintained a vision for a more diverse America where all people enjoyed the benefits of equality,” writes the National Civil Rights Museum. “Dr. King’s leadership contributed to the overall success of the civil rights movement in the mid-1900s and continues to impact civil rights movements in the present.”

Though King’s dedication and advocacy helped lead to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — ending the legal separation of people by race in public places and banning job discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin — racial injustice continues to be an issue today.

“While King and other leaders generated momentous strides for equality, the push for civil rights remains a preeminent challenge today,” the museum states. “We continue to experience poverty in the inner cities. We continue to fight for equal pay regardless of gender or race. We continue to battle education inequality. We continue to call for justice for all.”

Nonotuck Resource Associates recognizes the continuing struggle for racial justice. In a time when everything around us feels so divided, we are listening to the words of King and sticking with love. This week, Nonotuck is having a weeklong celebration of King, sharing different ways we can learn about, celebrate, and reflect on his life, legacy and teachings.

All week, we are encouraging members of the Nonotuck community to research and learn about King. Here are some great places to start:

• Watch videos of King’s five most memorable speeches.
• Read about his life and his work.

On Monday, we encourage members of the Nonotuck community to attend a virtual event celebrating King.

• The National Civil Rights Museum’s King Day 2021 Virtual Event, taking place at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., will feature musical performances by Memphis musicians, a children’s storytime reading and scholarly insight of King’s life and legacy with Dr. Hasan Jeffries. Register here.
• The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is hosting an event from 5-6 p.m. titled “Voices on King.” Streaming on Facebook and YouTube, the event brings together nonprofit, corporate, and community leaders to share their personal reflections on the current impact and lasting legacies of Dr. King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The event also features artistic performances.

On Tuesday, the National Day of Racial Healing, we suggest members of the Nonotuck community attend a virtual event at 3 p.m. for essential and timely conversations on racial healing, equity and justice. Learn more and RSVP here.

On Wednesday, we encourage members of the Nonotuck community to watch a documentary about Dr. King. Here are some good options:

• Clarendon Learning’s “Martin Luther King Jr for Kids” is a family friendly option available on YouTube.
• PBS offers suggestions on three other documentaries to watch here.

On Thursday, we suggest members of the Nonotuck community listen close their eyes and listen to King’s important I Have A Dream Speech in its entirety.

On Friday, we’re offering staff an opportunity to come together virtually to reflect on the teachings of King and all that we have learned and experienced throughout the week. This is a time to share how King has impacted us as a community.

Nonotuck is committed to honoring employees and clients of all backgrounds and walks of life. We show up and stand up for each other in ways both big and small, and will continue to support the cause of racial justice and anti-racism in 2021.