The MLK Day of Service
What did you do for Martin Luther King Day today?
For years, I always had teacher inservice days. No students to really celebrate with in a meaningful way, but instead, just really horrible meetings on culturally-sensitive topic that were a far cry from inspiring or thought-provoking.
Last year, I had MLK Day off. It was just a three day weekend, nice, but probably filled with things that were not necessarily thought-provoking nor inspiring, just comfortable.
Today, I had to work. When I drove in alone and left husband warm in bed, it definitely felt like a bummer. But then the day started. Ten students who I work with showed up at 9:30 for a planned trip to a homeless shelter downtown for a day of service. We took the bus to the shelter, the volunteer director talked to the students about homelessness and the cycles of poverty that surround uncertain living conditions, and then we cleaned the shelter from top to bottom, including the sleeping mats. Before we left students were asking how they could become over-night volunteers or have a more consistent role with the center. On the way back in the bus, we had a thought-provoking and interesting conversation.
We returned to campus on the bus in time to eat lunch and then attend the MLK Day convocation in the chapel. After beautiful musical performances we listened to Hollis Watkins, a fellow civil rights activist (and member of SNCC) with Dr. King during the mid-sixties. He was excellent and definitely inspiring.
In the end, it was a good day... Appropriately celebrated.
For years, I always had teacher inservice days. No students to really celebrate with in a meaningful way, but instead, just really horrible meetings on culturally-sensitive topic that were a far cry from inspiring or thought-provoking.
Last year, I had MLK Day off. It was just a three day weekend, nice, but probably filled with things that were not necessarily thought-provoking nor inspiring, just comfortable.
Today, I had to work. When I drove in alone and left husband warm in bed, it definitely felt like a bummer. But then the day started. Ten students who I work with showed up at 9:30 for a planned trip to a homeless shelter downtown for a day of service. We took the bus to the shelter, the volunteer director talked to the students about homelessness and the cycles of poverty that surround uncertain living conditions, and then we cleaned the shelter from top to bottom, including the sleeping mats. Before we left students were asking how they could become over-night volunteers or have a more consistent role with the center. On the way back in the bus, we had a thought-provoking and interesting conversation.
We returned to campus on the bus in time to eat lunch and then attend the MLK Day convocation in the chapel. After beautiful musical performances we listened to Hollis Watkins, a fellow civil rights activist (and member of SNCC) with Dr. King during the mid-sixties. He was excellent and definitely inspiring.
In the end, it was a good day... Appropriately celebrated.
posted by KLOU | 6:10 PM
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