Living Out Dr. King’s Values by Teaching the Truth
Written by Sarah Johnson
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Every year around this time, educators will teach their students about Dr. Martin Luther King’s words and legacy. This is admirable and necessary and we need to ensure it’s done in a way that honors the truth.
Original black and white negative by Marion S. Trikosko. Taken August 26th, 1964, Washington D.C. Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
For instance, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory and legacy is often white-washed or co-opted for causes that he would not have supported. In reality, he stood up to fight what he called, "Three major evils—the evil of racism, the evil of poverty, and the evil of war." And despite the fact that saying these things did not make him popular at the time, he persisted in saying them because he was adamant about staying on the right side of history.
What does this have to do with education at this current moment? Everything!
Bernice King, Dr. King’s daughter said:
“Even beyond #MLKDay, some individuals, organizations & groups misuse my father & take his words out of context to promote ideas that oppose his teachings.”
The organization she was referring to has advocated to ban books from schools, including books about Dr. King’s March on Washington and Ruby Bridges. At Teaching Lab, we stand with organizations that advocate to #TeachTheTruth and want to support educators who meet student demands to #TeachUsEverything. Regardless of political affiliation, now is the time to ensure that our students get access to the books and knowledge that provide a full, critical, and honest portrayal of who we have been and who we are as a nation.
As some people will co-opt Martin Luther King Jr.'s image to promote ideas and causes that he would have stood against, let's center the following wisdom from Martin Luther King Jr.:
"For those who are telling me to keep my mouth shut, I can’t do that. I’m against segregation at lunch counters, and I’m not going to segregate my moral concerns. And we must know on some positions, cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” Vanity asks the question, “Is it popular?” But conscience asks the question, “Is it right?” And there’re times when you must take a stand that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but you must do it because it is right."
As we take time today to reflect, to rest, to engage in a day of service, and to celebrate Dr. King, let's ask ourselves, if we really want to advance racial equity in education, “How persistent do I want to be in staying on the right side of history?”
Sarah Johnson is the CEO of Teaching Lab and leads the organization’s strategic initiatives, including setting and communicating its mission, strategic management, ensuring financial and operational health, leading fundraising efforts, and stewarding Teaching Lab’s board.
