As a man who devoted his life to fighting for the rights of minorities during the Civil Rights Era, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is celebrated every third Monday in January, recognized as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. King’s legacy is celebrated in many ways, as the day pays homage to his contributions to civil rights.
Every MLK Day, the city of Charleston continues to express its gratitude towards King’s efforts, as the city has come together to host an annual parade in downtown Charleston, beginning at Burke High School. The parade includes many different attractions, such as different organizations, classic cars, floats, and much more. The significance of hosting this event dates back to 1972, when the celebration was first held.
Wando High School senior and Culturally Unmatched Resilient Legacy Students (C.U.R.L.S) President Ana Laurient is a consistent attendee of this parade, being aware of the legacy that is celebrated.
“I think with an MLK parade, given their contributions and the dedication of Martin Luther King himself, and the whole cause that he dedicated his life to, the freedom and the suffrage of Black people in America. Having a parade is, at least, I think, the least we can do now as modern-day carriers of his legacy,”Laurient said. Honestly, just remembering everything that he did for civil rights and American separation, because I feel like everything that he dedicated his life to modeled true American liberty and freedom. And having a parade is… just another way that we can show how we carry his principles and… the values… the liberty… and the change that he stood for.”
For Laurient, there is much inspiration to be taken from Dr. King, being a leader herself in her own organization.
Honestly, from Martin Luther King Jr.… as the president of C.U.R.L.S., I try my very best to model empathy and inclusion and equity within our community and within the student body. And what Martin Luther King’s principles of equality for all, nonviolence, really show Black leadership… Just trying to be a piece in the further goal of achieving real American justice is what I hope to exemplify. And I try to… rely on Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles of just standing for what’s right and for being for change and for… inclusion and equality of every student, every person in our community, that’s what I hope to do,” Laurient said.
For Wando assistant principal and C.U.R.L.S. founder Kenya Mabry, Dr. King’s impact can be taken as an example for many African American youth leaders in different fields, such as Laurient.
“Strive for greatness. And the reason why I say that is, there’s really no excuse why you… can’t do it because of what… Dr. Martin Luther King was actually trying to do. He was instrumental in getting the Civil Rights Bill passed. And so I think that your [younger] generation should be pushing it forward. And the reason why, and what I mean by pushing it forward is… if you had people that were protesting, you had people who were… trying to fight for their rights, it’s your responsibility to… continue to push it along… for Black people,” Mabry said.
