Martin Luther King Makes Libraries Relevant

 After presenting MLK programs this week to elementary age students,   a thought came to my mind that has been nagging me on and off for a year or so.    As I spoke about the different works that have been inspired by Martin Luther King's life, and read a few children's books to my audiences,  it hit me profoundly that. Dr. King did more than just educate a generation about humanity and the struggle for civil rights for all.  He broke down barriers in almost every area of our society.  Even in the libraries.   When you consider that at one. point African Americans had their won "section" in the library and were not allowed browse the shelves designated for  whites. It is probably no surprise that newer books were placed in the "white" sections while African American patrons were treated to the "hand" downs or as librarians like to call them, the gently used books. Dr. King helped bring an end to segregation and he also left a lifetime of works that can be shared for years to come.    Libraries are the keeper of history's tales that remind our community of times passed. Dr. King's vision is needed more today than ever.  Librarians have made sure that his collection of works, speeches and films have been preserved for all generations. 

What I observed this past week in sharing Dr. King's story and legacy is that today's  children beleive that what Dr. King did is for the folks of their grandparents, and parents era.  It's not for them.   It seems that to them  fifty or so years ago, is equivalent to being in Ancient Rome.   So why continue brining up Dr. King and celebrating his legacy?  Who has taken the task up to continue the "Dream" to help the younger generation understand the importance of equity?  No one has stepped up.  Maybe the reason for that is becasue his shoes were too big to fill. 

In one of my programs, I played  King's famous I have a dream.  It was powerful to me to hear his voice again.  To be honest, I've probably heard this speech a thousand times in my lifetime, and it has always been in films or recordings.  I recognize dr. King's voice not because I was around when he first spoke those words but because of the recordings and books that featured his writings.   Just as it feels as though I was alive during the JFK assignation, because I've seen the reels so many times,  Dr. King's speech gives me that same feeling. At this stage in my life, the phrase "symphony of brotherhood" is powerful as I contemplate on it becoming a reality.   Watching the reactions of the children was a little disheartening.  Some were inspired but others demonstrated that they were bored.  These are the children that are growing up in the world that Dr.King dreamt of .. where white children and black children would play, work and pray together.   Perhaps this is where our generation has failed the civil rights movement of the 60's.  We rested on the achievements of Dr. King and figured the work is done.  However, as a six grader pointed out out in one of the programs, "people still look at me suspiciously because I live in an urban city and have dark skin."  This is precisely why we need to continue King's legacy and inspire the younger generations  to do the same.  That's the only way to keep progress going forward. 

For our part as librarian and the "story keepers",  it is important to keep recordings and written works that document the perseverance of men and women who sacrificed everything  to be the change in the world.  The change that was needed in their lifetime.  The change we need in our lifetime starts with us.   As I wrap up this long week of looking back on the life of Martin Luther King,  I'll leave you with a quote from Martin Luther King that is one of my favorites.  "If you can't fly, then run.  If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."   

The picture below is from The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.  By Johnny Ray Moore Illustrated by Amy Wummer.  Board book for toddlers.  A great book to introduce. Dr. King to the littlest of readers.