Closing Schools to Honor Dr. King?

How should educational institutions honor Dr. Martin Luther King?

Although there are good reasons for closing educational institutions on the federal holiday established to commemorate the life of Dr. King, I am not sure that doing so is the best way in which to honor him. However, I firmly believe that faculty should not conduct business as usual. Instead, we–along with our students–should devote time learning more about Dr. King and in advancing his legacy. This can be done in individual classes or through events organized by the educational institution or by student/faculty teams within the college.

Today, I am pleased that Building Bridges has organized a poverty simulation, a poetry slam, and an art show to honor Dr. King at Schoolcraft College. I am also excited by the Festival of Short Films Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which was organized by my film students and the fact that my American history students are joining with an English class and other students/faculty to view and discuss Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North.

Although the programming at my college is very appropriate, we cannot be so arrogant as to assume that we have the best ways in which to honor Dr. King for all of our students. As a result, I tell my students that participating in any organized activity honoring Dr. King counts as class time. Although my ancient world history classes decided that we wanted to do something special in class instead of attending the poetry slam, some of the students will still attend the slam anyway instead of “attending” class. Throughout the day, others will attend a variety of exciting events both on and off campus.

Some might argue that it is inappropriate to allow students to “miss” today’s class to attend the poetry slam or any other event because the college has not closed. However, because America has decided to establish a Federal holiday commemorating Dr. King, it should not matter which event a student attends in order advance his/her education. After all, today’s focus should rightly be Dr. King.

    –Steven L. Berg, PhD

Creative Commons License

Related Posts

Posted on by Steven L. Berg
Categories: Uncategorized

2 Responses

  1. The “Problem” With Dr. Martin L. King Day « Etena sacca-vajjena… says:
    10 January 2012 at 4:14 pm

    […] “Closing Schools to Honor Dr. King?” (17 January 2011) […]

    Reply
  2. David says:
    17 January 2011 at 10:50 am

    Steve, you continue to be one of the most creative educators I have ever known. To empower your students to make of the day what they want or need it to be for themselves is the empowerment of the education and self-improvement process itself, a process which affirms what Martin Luther King, Jr. promoted. What you have done has also promoted a sense of community and community affirmation. By acknowledging that what your class offers is only one smaller piece of the whole picture of what your college and community are doing today also underscores the process of “forming the beloved community” which was part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. legacy as well. Congratulations, and thank you. A blessed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to you… and a most happy birthday!
    David

    Reply

LEAVE A COMMENT