The K5 Opinion: Inauguration Day
As a teacher for the past ten years, I have taught about Martin Luther King many times, both on the holiday to honor his gift to our country and on many other occasions. I read my students his “I Have A Dream” speech, and play them an excerpt called “Fun Town” from a speech given in Los Angles by Dr. King in 1962.
In this brief recording, Dr. King tells the story of a time when he went to the airport accompanied by his daughter. As they drove, they passed a place called “Fun Town”. His daughter asked if she could go to “Fun Town” and he had to explain that she could not because of the color of her skin.
That was 1962. This is 2009. And I will teach MLK Day a little differently on Tuesday the 20th.
I will, as many other teachers in the city of New York and I would presume, across the country, watch a live broadcast of the inauguration of Barack Obama, the nation’s new president, and the nation’s first president of African-American descent. And this accomplishment, whether one supported Mr. Obama’s campaign to become president or not, demonstrates that this country, the United States of America, has come a long way, for all people. But I will caution my students that we mustn’t forget the past, for if we do, we will repeat our egregious errors.
And for that reason, for the tenth year in a row, after discussing the importance of this election for all people, my students will hear the recording of Dr. King’s story about “Fun Town”, and they will hear the “I Have A Dream” speech as well. But now they will see that we have grown as a nation, and that, as Martin Luther King preached, all children truly have the opportunity to be whatever they choose. But because a short forty-plus years ago his dream was not yet fulfilled, I encourage all parents, teachers and mentors alike, to teach the change that has happened so it will continue.
Congratulations, President Barack Obama. And congratulations to the United States of America. “Fun Town” is now open for admission to all children, hopefully, forever.
January 19th, 2009
very inspiring and heart warming.
I am touched by what you wrote. this is the kind of teaching that needs to happen in classrooms across the country.