Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist who led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. His leadership was fundamental to the movement’s success in ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of the United States. Dr. King rose to national prominence as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which promoted nonviolent tactics, such as the massive March on Washington (1963), to achieve civil rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Luther-King-Jr)
Dr. King reached out to the evolving Chicano Movement figures and began meeting with leaders like Bert Corona, Corky Gonzales and Reies Tijerina. He wanted to ensure the Chicanos were heavily involved in the grassroots formation of the Poor People’s Movement. Dr. King also knew Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta as colleagues and privately encouraged them to continue their resistance with their work at the fledgling union, the UFW. Dr. King’s idea was to spearhead a movement that addressed economic inequality during the presidential campaign of 1968 and he needed his Chicano compadres to help cement his plan, (http://laprensa-sandiego.org/stories/dr-martin-luther-king-understood-chicano-movements-future-influence/)
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Dona Ana County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in partnership with Woodmen Life Chapter 233 is proud to announce the 2017 MLK Essay or Poetry Contest. The writing contest encourages Dona Ana County students in the grades 9-12, to learn about Dr. King’s influence on Hispanic-Americans by reading about the Chicano Movement at https://www.laprogressive.com/martin-luther-king-chicano-movement/. Reflect on Dr. King’s influence on all Americans, and then write an essay or poem about Dr. King’s influenced on you. Teachers are highly encouraged to give this writing assignment to their 9-12 grade classes as homework or extra credit, so your students will learn and appreciate Dr. King’s message or tolerance and peaceful protest toward achieving civil liberties and justice for all.
CONTEST DETAILS:
· 400-600 word Essay or between 34-46 line Poem
· Heading on the paper must include: Name, Grade, School and Contact Info.
· Inappropriate, vulgar or offensive language will not be accepted.
TOPIC: “Dr. Kings Influence on Me”
SUBMISSION: Students must submit their essay or poem to by Monday, December 5, 2017. Best Essay and Poem will be notified during the week of December 12, 2017.
RECONGITION: We believe all students participating in this contest are winners and will be recognized at the Annual NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Breakfast Banquet on January 16, 2017 at Hotel Encanto, Las Cruces, NM. We also encourage all High Schools to recognize each student for their participation. The winning essay or poem writer will be recognized at the banquet and receive $200 Gift Card, a History Award from Woodman Life, and a Commemorative Plaque from the NAACP. Runner Up will receive a $100 Gift Card and Third Place a $50 Gift Card. All the winning writers will receive tickets for themselves and their parents to attend the Breakfast Banquet. The 1st place winning essay or poem writer will be asked to read their submission.
The NAACP invites all school administrators and teachers to attend and support participating students during this event. For all questions concerning this contest or attending the event please contact Alonzo Moore at (505) 400-7905 or .