Writing on the legacy of MLK: Three winning essays in Fresno County schools’ contest

Editor’s note: In partnership with the Fresno County Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Committee, the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools hosts the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Essay, and Speech Contest. Students in grades K-12 learn about and respond to the teachings of Dr. King. Students can choose to create a work of art, write an essay and/or deliver a speech. The contest culminates with an exhibition and awards program to honor the students and their hard work. This year’s awards program will be held on Feb. 8 at 6 pm at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.

This year, the essay contest theme was “Honoring the dream today with hope, compassion and unity for all.” Here are the top essays in the high school, middle school and elementary categories.

Oprah Winfrey: Empowering the masses with her message

By Trisha Prajapati, Clovis North High, Clovis Unified, Grade 12

“You get a car! You get a car! You get a car!” This iconic TV moment is etched in television history. It is an example of Oprah Winfrey providing hope through her compassion for others. She is one of the pioneers in the women empowerment movement.

Oprah was groundbreaking. She broke barriers and opened a path for other African American women to reach for success. She emphasized individual effort and determination to lift one above their own circumstances.

What can one person do to improve society? She was different in a way that she focused less on groups and more on each person alone. A unique leader in the post-civil rights era, a businesswoman and actress, Oprah’s preaching of individual empowerment led her to become a role model for both women and African Americans and helped portray Dr. King’s dream of hope, compassion, and unity for all.

Oprah was born in 1954, around the same time civil rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. started protesting for better rights for African Americans. Shortly after her birth, Oprah had to reside with her grandmother due to the dispute between her mother and father. Under the supervision of her grandmother, Oprah had learned to read by the age of two-and-a-half and was a prodigious student. Oprah grew up in poverty while being shuttled back and forth between her mother in Milwaukee and her father in Tennessee. She did not let any of this keep her down though. It’s safe to say that Winfrey’s youth was dreadful, but all of these experiences are what made her the successful woman she is today.

Oprah has brought hope and unity to those who truly needed her compassion. During the chaotic year with COVID-19 at large, she donated $10 million to the people that needed additional aid. When natural disasters hit, Oprah used her money not to help herself, but to help others by providing money to relief funds. Her past experiences help her empathize with the people who need help, and so she donates to anyone or any organization that needs it.

Oprah didn’t change laws. Oprah didn’t change society. Oprah changed people. She’s a role model for people to emulate. To come from a background and past like hers and still become one of the most successful people is very influential. For people who are going through rough times, similar to what Oprah went through, she is a beacon of hope that helps them believe that they can become anything no matter where they start from.

Oprah donated $5 million to start a nationwide after-school program. She gave $12 million to the Smithsonian museum of African American History and Culture. Oprah gives young girls of color hope. She helps them believe that their color of skin will not prevent them from becoming what they want to be. Oprah believes in individual determination. She sets examples and helps people fulfill their own potential and move up in society.

While Oprah is personally successful by any measure, it is her compassion and willingness to highlight social injustice and discrimination that makes her a new generation civil rights advocate.

Civil rights challenges are different now than they were during the time of Dr. King. During the time the late reverend was protesting, they were fighting for laws. Today, we have the laws, but now we have to change the minds of the people, and Oprah has the power to make that change. Her influence on the people in society allows her to speak to millions to make such changes needed to society.

Oprah is also open about topics such as race and inequality among people of color. She brings people together in unity in this way. She turned a relatively unknown senator from Illinois into one of the most powerful people in the nation. This man, Barack Obama, became the president of the U.S. for two terms with her endorsement. Her approval made people think it’s OK for anyone to vote for him, whether they were white or black. She brought the people of different races and ideas together in this way.

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” This conveys Oprah’s infectious optimism. No matter how dark times may be, Oprah finds the light.

Oprah Winfrey is the true definition of hope, compassion and unity. She went from being at her lowest point in life to becoming a media mogul. The most influential woman who fought and continues to stand up for what she believes in, similar to Dr. King. Dr. King believed in bringing people together. He didn’t want there to be separation among blacks and whites. Instead, he wanted to use his compassion to bring hope for everyone to be able to join hands in unity and fulfill his dream. Through all of her help, Oprah shed light on social injustice and racial inequality. She brought the fight for equality to a new level and has done nothing but help others, which shows her truly living the dream through hope, compassion, and unity for all.

‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’

By Izabella Brizard, Reyburn Intermediate, Clovis Unified, Grade 8

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist and leader who had a dream that changed America forever.

King’s vision was that everyone should be treated equally and to see that they do matter. He believed in racial and social equality through non-violence and peace. One of his most famous lines was, “..Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force,” stating that we don’t need to meet violence with more hate, anger, and violence. He wanted us to meet the violence with peace, and a drive for change. He wanted everyone to be their best, whatever that may be, and for everyone to strive to make their place better. King had a dream of hope, compassion and unity throughout our nation.

Dr. King started a national movement that will last for generations to come, and from that has risen many civil-rights activists making a difference in our country, one of those people being Rashad Robinson. Robinson works with organizations like Color of Change, and GLAAD, to end racial and social discrimination. In November 2019 Rashad worked to pass a bill ending Black hairstyle discrimination in schools, and in June 2020 Robinson, as well as organizations Including Color of Change, NAACP, ADL, and others, came together in a Stop Hate for Profit campaign.

Robinson worked peacefully to get legislation passed to further the equality of Black Americans. Studies have shown that prior to this bill being passed, Black women were less likely to land a job interview when compared to white women or Black women with straight hair. The passage of the bill allowed Black Americans the freedom to wear their hair the way they choose and express themselves in a way that doesn’t make them feel like they are doing something wrong.

Serving as president for the Color of Change organization, Robinson and his team are working toward ensuring accurate representation of Black people in media, expanding Black voter access, achieving meaningful diversity, dismantling right-wing and white nationalist support, ensuring adequate treatment of Black citizens at work, and creating fairness in the criminal justice system. Through their previous and continued work, Robinson and Color of Change have given citizens hope toward a better future.

One of Robinson’s main goals has been the fight for racial justice. In an opinion article written for USA Today, Robinson explained that the basis of all racism is rooted in systemic discrimination, and inequality based on identity. For many years, Robinson, Color of Change and civil rights activists have been diligently working on the Stop Hate for Profit campaign to make the Facebook platform and all social media a safer place for all users. Facebook has refused to take responsibility and action to prevent hate, bias, and discrimination against the Black community on the platform.

Many large corporations have united with Color of Change in the fight to regulate Facebook. This compassion and support has created unity among multiple races and shown the Black community that they stand with them. Despite their efforts, regulation to require Facebook to change its practices has not been passed, but these activists will continue to fight until it is.

Following in Dr. King’s footsteps, Robinson has worked tirelessly to end discrimination and racism against the Black community. He is continuing Dr. King Jr.’s dream of a brighter future for all, and equality in all forms. From 1963, when Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream “ speech, to 15 years ago when Color of Change was started, to now, the fight for racial justice is not over. Through encouragement, hope, and activism, these people will not give up fighting for a better tomorrow.

As Rashad Robinson says, “Everyone wins when racial justice wins. And it will take everyone to win racial justice.”

MLK and Dr. Bernice King: A father and daughter story

By Rex McTeer, Fort Washington Elementary, Clovis Unified, Grade 6

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accomplished many things throughout his life, including the fact that he was instrumental in fighting against segregation, giving his famous speech entitled, “I Have A Dream”, and winning the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts in fighting for civil rights. He advocated for peace while seeking equality and never wished harm upon anyone.

Dr. King would go on to have a big part in stopping segregation, shining a light on the injustices of racism, and giving black people the rights that they deserved.

Subsequent to the efforts of Dr. King, hundreds of people, groups and organizations followed in the pursuit of his dream. But who better to follow directly in Dr. King’s footsteps than his daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King?

She was only 5 years old when her father was assassinated. Inspired by him and his legacy, Dr. Bernice King became committed to changing systemic injustice by delivering many of her own speeches regarding the injustices behind racism. In addition, she encouraged and supported the presidential campaign of Barack Obama in 2018 by calling his nomination part of her father’s dream.

On Aug. 28, 1963, Dr. King delivered an famous speech talking about his wish to end racism and calling for civil and economic rights. This speech was named “I Have A Dream” and would go on to become one of the most influential speeches of all time. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of her father’s speech, Dr. Bernice King led an event called “Let Freedom Ring and Call to Action.” Many entertainers and government officials were there, including President Obama.

Just like her father did, Bernice King travels all over the country giving speeches and encouraging people to continue the fight to stop racism and provide equal rights to all. She became the CEO of the King Center in 2012, a resource center designed to teach and inspire and pay respect to Dr. King’s legacy. Dr. Bernice King’s primary focus as CEO of the King Center is to ensure her father’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology lives on through her work in all aspects of society, including education, government, business, media, arts and entertainment and sports.

In 1964, at the age of 35, Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He deserved this award because he didn’t just stop segregation, but he made so many people see that racism was wrong and that people should not judge others based on the color of their skin.

His daughter Dr. Bernice King is instrumental in carrying on her father’s legacy, honoring his dream with hope, compassion and unity for all.

One inspiring quote by Dr. Bernice A. King is, “As long as there is movement towards justice, there is hope.” Just like her father, she is an inspiration and maybe one day she will also earn a Nobel Peace award for her efforts.