MLK ESSAY 2020

FIRST PLACE (6th Grades) Fernwood Montessori, 6th Grade

IF YOU CAN’T FLY THEN RUN…..

When I think of the most important things in my life I think about my past, my present and my future. My past because I have family members who believe in me, guide me and help me make decisions. My present because I face challenges everyday and must make decisions about them, not knowing if these decisions will affect the rest of my My future because I know it has been about one hundred years since members of my family faced a worldwide pandemic. These realities are not an excuse to keep me from my goals. I am inspired by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. to keep fighting against obstacles and difficulties. I truly believe in his message to keep moving forward. IF YOU CAN’T RUN THEN WALK…..

My family taught me to be proud of my work whether it was a large task or a small task. I was taught to study and give myself enough time to complete the job. I believe this can be applied to students and to society. What holds us back is that we don’t always know what’s next. It is easy to fear the unknown, but how can I give up when I know that people before me overcame slavery, racial segeragation, violence and unfair treatment just to be recognized as being fully human or get access to a good education or exercise the right to vote. They faced life threatening challenges. I learned from them that what they went through was difficult but not permanent.

IF YOU CAN’T WALK THEN CRAWL...

Today, I watch the news of the present and it looks frightening. America’s vision is to be the promised land but with incidents like Gorge Floyed, Breonna Taylor and Emmit Till this seems to not be the case. This vision can be achieved using small steps: focusing on one problem at a time. This way, the solution will be clear and we can keep moving forward. You can’t get anywhere without knowing your goal. You can’t know your goal unless you take steps toward it. You can’t take steps towards your goal with negative thinking and being around negative people, And you will never reach your goal if you don’t learn from your mistakes.

But whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”-Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.