MLK Day is a “Day On” at K & O’s school. The kids do community service all day, then each class participates in an all-school-assembly where they put on performances of MLK/Civil-Rights/Human-Rights related songs/poetry/etc. It is an inspiring day. The video in post below is of K & O’s class performance of the song “We’re All Swimming to the Other Side.” They had practiced the song for weeks, and had memorized every word. K & O were way into it. They are now, at age 7, quite sophisticated in their understanding of who MLK Jr. was, the importance of his life’s work, and the basic history of slavery-discrimination-the Civil Rights Movement-and the continuing struggle today for civil and human rights for all people. I’m proud of them for being so pro-active in their own grappling with these issues. They understand that the truth is that our family would not have been “possible” (legally at least) not all that long ago. It is all a lot to think about, and we have a long road ahead, but this year’s MLK Day made me feel like we’re at least on the right track.
Zoe, Shelli, and Lori joined us for the MLK event, and then we all went to Friendly’s afterward. It was a perfect way to spend King Day.
(photo credit: the Petch’s blog!)
Sounds like a perfect day to celebrate and remember MLK and a great structure to introduce young children to these deep important issues. We don’t celebrate MLK day here but he’s often in my thoughts so I marked it myself too. Great to read how you feel you’re on the right track – so inspiring! Enjoyed watching your video of the boys’ class performance and reading Kristen’s posts at Rage Against The Minivan.
– Kate
so much fun!!! xo