Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Everyday Black/Brown/African Americans deal with some sort of inequality while working, driving, shopping, and living. It may be sly remarks from neighbors, jokes from peers at school, gossip from coworkers... it happens at some point. We as Americans must learn from history of past mistakes and do better by welcoming all people that live here. I personally know a handful of people who are completely racist and those who are welcoming. Black/Brown/African American men and women are being killed or arrested unjustly by those who we thought were supposed to protect everyone, no matter their color/race AND by those who we thought were our neighbors. Black/Brown/African American men and women are being looked over by their peers when trying to get into career fields that are primarily White-dominated. Wildlife, forestry, and other outdoor careers have had little diversity, but now this is starting to change. For a wonderful example of an up and coming Black/Brown/African American wildlife technician, follow @lauren.queenofthewild on Instagram to see her journey working for the U.S. Forest Service!

Although we are having inequality issues today, Black/Brown/African Americans had to fight for rights to be considered close to equals during the American Civil Rights Movement. The man we celebrate today was influential to this movement.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement for many years, achieving feats such as the March on Washington that propelled the Civil Rights Act to be passed by Congress in 1964. He was also the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year. His many speeches and promotion of non-violent protests also led to Congress passing the Voting Rights Act in 1965. In his college studies, Dr. King learned to become a great orator and promoter of Christianity to later become the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Although his life was cut short, his memory and legacy live on today in literature, film, and current social justice and equality movements. 

To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., you can learn more and watch a live feed by The King Center via this link: The King Center Commemoration 

You may also donate directly to the following organizations to continue the fight for social justice, equality, and Dr. King’s legacy: The King Center and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

If you choose to buy one of the following stickers (click the photos for direct link), 40% of each sticker purchased will be split between The King Center and the NAACP.