January 18, 2021, is the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. day. Every year, people across the world remember his persistent fight for equal rights, and his belief of justice and truth despite the prejudice of those times.  

Known for his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, he has influenced many, many students today in more ways than he could have imagined. 

According to ushistory.org, Martin Luther King is “the first person in the Western world to have shown us that a struggle can be waged without violence.” 

Starting in the 1980s, his birthday became  a national holiday for Americans to reflect on his values of equality and nonviolence. 

Sophomore Nicole Herrera said that she believes in the importance of MLK, not only because of his inspirational words but also because of his actions and determination throughout his life.

“I think MLK is important because he was an American Civil Rights pioneer and was determined to fight for the rights of people despite the opposition or ignorance he encountered,” Herrera said. 

She feels a  personal connection to the actions MLK took  for the world, from his promotion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 to the nonviolent ways of promoting incremental social change.  

“The significance of these events to me demonstrates the power of pursuance and serving as a model for how to combat inequality,” Herrera said. “ These actions affected me and the way I can now live in a world with less division and more diversity than previously possible.” 

Sophomore Maya Smith added that the experiences MLK went through during his childhood, such as attending a  racially segregated school, impacted her understanding of his message. 

“I admire his courage to protest, and I admire his dedication to the Equal Rights Movement,” Smith said. “I strive to be as dedicated as he was to what I do. I do believe I learned what it means to be a part of something and to stick up for what I believe in.”

Smith also said as a student who has privileges in this present society, she will not stand by when she witnesses prejudice against others because of their differences.  She feels that MLK taught her the meaning of equality.  

“His actions really inspire me, and I’m sure tons of others, to keep fighting for what we believe is right,” Smith said. “I look at pictures of him, and I see a goal, a dream, something to be fulfilled.”