MLK Fire- Still Burning

MLK Fire- Still Burning

By: Rama K Ramaswamy

“This year feels different”, says the parent of two middle school aged children, following signs to get to the MLK Day celebration hosted by World Of Wellesley Inc. (WOW) and it’s president, Michelle Chalmers. As we continue inside the Wellesley Community Center, we speak about the almost, balletic sequence, with which the topic of civil rights and the late Dr. King are kept fresh in our minds- the recent release of the movie Selma and even President Obama’s mention of it during his latest State of the Union address are but a few of the most recent, nonviolent reminders. January 19, 2015 marks this event’s eleventh year, co-sponsored in the past by Mass Bay Community College, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Sunlife and this year, Wellesley College as well. Chalmers says, “the event format has always included breakfast, musical entertainment, a keynote address and for the past few years, The High School Steppers. The event draws community officials, school administrators and members of the larger organizations in and around Wellesley.” Although the family/ community friendly tradition Chalmers created includes food, activities, and last year (view last year’s event at welleseymediacorporation), a performance by a Haitian Children’s Orchestra presented by Youth & Family Enrichment Services YOFES.ORG, this year, she decided to go “more interactive” by “set{ing} up the room with many stations that offered a closer look into MLK- his life and values and what he tried so hard to fight for- peace, justice, fairness and equity.”

Chalmers and Russ Cramer, a WOW board member, set up eight activities such as, “The Time Line of MLK’s Life”, “Fair or Unfair” where children were given over 40 cards with scenarios on them and work together with others to decide if they would be fair to all or unfair and place the cards on the corresponding wall list, “Let Freedom Ring” a bells-craft activity for kids made with plastic cups, and the “MLK Library Book Station” enjoyed in comfortable chairs with lots of books available for kids to sit and read about MLK, Corretta King and one of MLK’s mentors- Gandhi, advising putting principles of non-violence into practice.

The event concluded for the day, with a large community circle where 39 candles were lit in remembrance of each year of Dr. King’s life. Another parent attending the event said, “the circle allowed everyone a chance to voice thoughts and reflections.” In addition, Chalmers said, “twelve Wellesley High School Key Club members were invaluable helpers- positioned all around the circle asking everyone to read a MLK quote as we went around, lighting candles, and asking for people to share.” This annual celebration was born out of Chalmers seeking out an event suitable for her own children- to encourage positive conversation about diversity, however, she believes it is now much more and that it engages core values of what it means to be a modern human; in conclusion, Chalmers said she believes, “that most of the community outreach WOW does and should do is to impact children. Dr. King stood for peace and fairness for all. These are elements of our children’s young lives that are important to understand and think critically about- being able to listen and learn about MLK and how he spoke about fairness and then have children connect that to how we treat each other on the playground, in our homes and in school. My belief is that teaching children early about these important issues will give them a greater awareness and connectivity to the larger world around them and be able to make connections and think critically about helping to create change.” WOW can be contacted at moh23321@aol.com.