Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed in the United States

Every year, in the United States, a special day is set aside in January in order to celebrate the birthday of this great man. His memory shall never be erased in the annals of history. 

King was the charismatic leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, and was born on January 15, 1929. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.   A Baptist minister, he followed the nonviolent example of Mahatma Ghandi, and, like him, ironically died a violent death.

Dr. King's famous speech, "I Have a Dream", which he delivered at the 1963 Washington, D.C. Civil Rights March, rallied every citizen who truly believed in racial equality. His stirring speeches have been gathered into one volume, titled A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The posts I've done for this day in previous years have focused on Dr. King's literary legacy, as he authored some very important books on the movement he led so well.

This year, I'd like to offer a list of books dealing with the topics of racism, slavery, and civil rights. 

To access information about each book, click on each picture. Here they are!

I'm currently doing a buddy read of this book with a blogger friend, Barb @ Booker T's Farm. If you'd like to know more about this, click HERE!

This novel is rather poignant, because the main character, Justyce McAllister, inspired by the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., actually starts keeping a journal in which he addresses Dr. King directly. 

This book was the first science fiction novel written by an African-American woman, and is a fascinating combination of time travel, slave memoir, and historical fiction.

This novel incorporates the Civil Rights Movement, and is funny and engaging. The film version was not only hailed by the public, but by critics, as well, grossing over $216 million worldwide. It also won four Academy Award nominations. (Source: Wikipedia) The novel has won several literary awards.

This novel is a 2016 selection of Oprah's Book Club. The author has created a REAL Underground Railroad in this novel, with tracks and tunnels  running beneath the ground in the Southern states. This book won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

This one incorporates magical realism, with paranormal elements, and reminds me a bit of Beloved, by Toni Morrison. 

I have not read this novel, but I HAVE seen the film version, and it was truly a HARROWING experience! The stars were Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. The message of the book and film detail the horrors of slavery, and how these affect the characters, especially Sethe (Oprah Winfrey), the female protagonist.

The book won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

These are all books that deal with the unique and painful reality of the Black experience, told by different authors, from different angles. They are important books to read, especially as we honor the legacy of one man who dared to start a revolution -- without violence -- and himself was a victim of violence as a result. 

We must carry this man's message forward, so that one day, that dream he spoke of so beautifully will truly become a reality! 

Famous Dr. King Quotes

 

"I have a dream that my four little children

will one day live in a nation

where they will not be judged by the color

of their skin, but

by the content of their character."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;

only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate;

only love can do that."

"The ultimate measure of a man  is not

where he stands in moments

of comfort and convenience, but

where he stands at times of challenge

and controversy."

"Our lives begin to end the day

we become silent about things that matter."

"I have decided to stick with love.

Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html#45IfF1MShZVIm7EU

Online Links

Martin Luther King, Jr.:Wikipedia

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

The King Center

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:Infoplease

Martin Luther King, Jr.: BrainyQuote