My Note: Much has been said and written about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during and since his murder (yes, I mean murder. Assacination sounds almost too weak). It is hard to imagine what the world would be had he not only lived but lived the life he did with the support of so many others in the struggle for justice and peace. The focus of much of what is said today is only on his civil rights work and very little on his absolute opposition to the Vietnam War and his vision for peace. This is especially pertinent as we face perpetual war (for perpetual peace, they say) in Iraq. With blood on those in the rafters, let the base take strength in his example of the fight for peace. This is the question I ask myself: Are we better than war? Dr. King, Ghandi and my others prove that we can be if we are truly commited to peace. From that I find the strength to be optimistic.
I chose the article below because the expectations of these children who came long after him Dr. King reflect a broad and true vision of what he means. We can learn much from their words and maybe find a role in fulfilling the dream of justice and peace.
What if Martin were alive today.....
Three years ago a group of second grade students created a timeline of the events in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Three years and 300,000 visitors later they revisited their work. These students, now 5th graders, spend some time laughing and reminiscing before the conversation turned serious. What would have happened if Dr. King had not been assassinated? What would he be doing today? Here are a few excerpts from that conversation. 1/19/02
If Dr. King were still alive he would be a minister trying to stop violence, maybe he would be on a talk show trying to help children get along and work together. Also he would try to stop all these bad gangs and all these bad killings. by Paul
If he was still alive he would probably be president and everyone would like him and vote for him. by Joey
I think he would be involved in politics today and be a very famous person. He would also still be involved in civil rights. by David B.
I think that if Martin Luther King, Jr. was not assassinated he would be very famous and live in a world of peace, happiness, and he would see the day when races get along with each other. by Jamie
I think Martin Luther King would be a famous person and would be on the Today Show with Al Roker. Maybe he would have his own shoes like Michael Jordan and Coby Bryant. He might have his own talk show like Regis Philbin. by Christian
In my opinion, I think that if Martin Luther King wasn't assassinated he would live to see how all people of all different colors live together without segregation or hatred. And maybe the people who tried to kill him would learn to like him. by Natasha
If Martin Luther King, Jr. was alive today he would be very involved in politics. He would also be very involved in the attacks of 9/11/01. He would be working to donate money to the charities. by Vincent
I think that Martin Luther King would be the first African American President of the United States of America. He would be a leader in in other things like women's rights and he would be successful. by Abigail
I think that Martin Luther King, Jr. would have eliminated segregation completely and dome something to make whites respect blacks. For instance, maybe he or another black started a successful business that many whites worked at and were paid a good wage. That would have made blacks more respected. Also, maybe he would have run for President and won! As President I think he would have made all rights equal for everyone, including women. by Elizabeth
I think that if Martin Luther King was still alive he might be an ambassador and represent us from another country. by Chaithanya
He would still be making new famous speeches about freedom for blacks and whites. My thought is that it was a good idea for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to earn the rights so blacks and whites can play together because I have good friends that are black. by Stacey
He would not have rested until every child would be playing nicely together, until every grownup understood how tough life is for African Americans. He would still be making speeches while hundreds of people listened. He would make appearances on talk shows and make speeches on national TV. by Arielle
If Dr. King were still alive he would probably still be a minister. He would help kids out that have problems. He might own a company. by Cory
If Dr. Martin Luther King were still alive he would probably be a minister. He might read to kids without parents. Maybe he would run for the senate. by Matthew
If Dr. King was not assassinated, I think he would have made a speech to thank the people of America for fulfilling his dream of freedom in America. He will be 73 now. He would still be a minister in his church and talk about his dream. He would still be very famous. If he never lived, I think the world would not be complete. He might have made a speech about 9/11. He might even be working to end terrorism. by Alice
I think if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was still alive he would be a great man. He would be helping in the fight against terrorism. I also believe he would have more children to help continue his dream for peace. Dr. King was a great man! by Silena
Pocantico Hills School | Martin Luther King Jr. | Black History Month
email us at: thongell@pocanticohills.org
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