Reposting this: Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr.

It's no wonder that few people (except for fellow geezers) actually know that Washington's birthday is February 22, Lincoln's birthday is February 12, and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday is actually January 15. Designating official MONDAY celebrations for his commemoration and also for President's Day next month may allow federal and some other employees/schools to enjoy three-day-weekends, but my hope  is it will focus more attention on the accomplishments and integrity of these incomparable leaders than simply getting discounts on linens.

In recent months I've linked here to posts by by other bloggers who have said things about picture books better than I could. My endorsement of their words may or may not strengthen their voices, but I tried. 

Today I will repost my own voice, written in the first month of this blog's life three years ago.
I have been beating myself up over not producing an original post about this important day, so I reread my original thoughts, written as an open letter to Martin. They included this:

"Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr.

You’re a hero to so many, but I’d like to take a moment to tell you why you are mine.

When sharing your accomplishments with students, describing the doors you opened, opportunities you produced, changes resulting from your leadership in the USA and the world, my admiration is evident to them. 

Then I tell them about my experience in high school."

My post included links to a few outstanding titles, but there are numerous other titles released before and since that are being featured across the blogosphere. They can be found easily enough, and I urge readers to seek them out.

My post concluded with this:

"Because, thanks to your leadership, risks, and sacrifices, along with those of so many others, now every one of those schools accepts women. That change took place too late for me.

So, Martin, not just on your birthday or during Black History Month, I thank you for your vision and accomplishments. You threw open the doors of opportunity for me and for everyone else to live in a country that guarantees equality, or recourse when that has been denied."

I decided my own words are as true today as ever, and recent events across the country (the world, in fact) make them even more true. Instead of trying to generate a new post, I'll share this one, which shapes every day of my life. I hope you'll take the time to read the rest of the post, here.
Then find ways to honor my hero in every day life.