“Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Have you ever wondered who helped change unfair laws in America? One of the most important leaders was Martin Luther King Jr.
He was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was young, life was very unfair for African Americans because of segregation laws. These laws kept Black and white people apart in schools, buses, and restaurants.
Martin believed this was wrong and wanted to make the world a fair place for everyone. Martin became a pastor and started working for civil rights. In 1955, he helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man.
This protest lasted over a year and ended when the Supreme Court said bus segregation was illegal. Martin believed in peaceful protest, not violence.
He gave many speeches, and his most famous one was the “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. In this speech, he shared his dream of a world where people of all races live together in harmony.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s work helped change laws in the United States. Because of his efforts, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed.
These laws made segregation and discrimination illegal. Martin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his fight for equality. Sadly, he was killed in 1968, but his dream still inspires people today. That is why we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day—to honor his courage and his hope for a better world.
John Hume
The person most often compared to Martin Luther King Jr. in Ireland’s history is John Hume. Hume was a leader of the Northern Ireland civil rights movement and later a key architect of the Good Friday Agreement, which helped bring peace to Northern Ireland.
Like MLK, he believed in nonviolent protest and worked tirelessly for equality and justice for the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland. Hume even said that Martin Luther King was his inspiration, and in 1999 he received the Martin Luther King Award in Atlanta for his commitment to peace and civil rights.
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
One Pot Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 (6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups reduced-fat milk, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ½ cups water
- 6 ounces whole-wheat linguine
- 3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 tablespoon reduced-fat cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Directions
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook until browned on both sides, 7 to 8 minutes total. Remove from the pot and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Whisk together flour and 1/4 cup milk; set aside.
- Add garlic to the pot; cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Add water and the remaining 1 1/4 cups milk; cover and bring to a boil. Add pasta; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Stir in the chicken and the milk-flour mixture; continue to cook until the pasta is al dente, about 3 minutes more.
- Remove from heat; add Parmesan, cream cheese and pepper; stir until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Literature Corner
Iggie’s House
by Judy Blume
After Winnie’s best friend moved to Tokyo, Iggie’s house just was not the same. Winnie’s best friend was gone and there were only two weeks left of summer.
Then the Garber family moved into Iggie’s house—two boys, Glenn and Herbie, and Tina, their little sister. The Garbers were black and Grove Street was white and always had been. Winnie set out to make a good impression and be a good neighbor. That’s why the trouble started. Because Glenn and Herbie and Tina didn’t want a “good neighbor.” They wanted a friend. For ages 8-12, 176 pages.
Because of You, John Lewis
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
When young Tybre Faw discovers John Lewis and his heroic march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the fight for voting rights, Tybre is determined to meet him. Tybre’s two grandmothers take him on the seven-hour drive to Selma, Alabama, where Lewis invites Tybre to join him in the annual memorial walk across the Bridge. And so begins a most amazing friendship! For ages 7-10, 40 pages
Lardie’s Laughs
Q. Why did the snowman buy a bag of carrots?
A. He wanted to pick his nose!
Q. What did the icy road say to the car?
A. Want to go for a spin?
Gab in Gaelic
Happy New Year to You = Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit (pron: ought/bleen hunna dwit)
