Denise A. Dykeman

Minot

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day that takes on additional significance this year as we mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving our communities.

So, this year, I watched to see how my North Dakota community would observe the day. I noted that North Dakotans in Bismarck, Fargo, and at UND had the opportunity to engage in a variety of events that honored Dr. King’s legacy.

Here in Minot, I was heartened to see that a screening of a documentary about Dr. King’s life took place on the Minot State University campus. Other than that, I didn’t see any volunteer opportunities planned, and the city website only noted that offices would be closed for the day. No church events to be found and nothing on “Visit Minot” either. I am hopeful that the Air Force base had an event that I just wasn’t finding. How sad for us. Events should be everywhere! It’s a day where everyone regardless of political party or religion can come together around the idea of service.

Rev. Dr. King imagined a wonderful future for America — an America he called the “Beloved Community.” Building the Beloved Community requires a key shift in human understanding. It means looking beyond external differences to see the union of all humankind. It also means finding a way to deal with our grievances without animosity, in a way that recognizes the interconnectedness of all humanity, allowing us to move forward together. Now, that is an idea worth celebrating!

The week isn’t over yet. We can still take the opportunity to volunteer, to educate ourselves on civil rights and social justice issues, and to engage in conversations that advance the cause of equality. Let’s remember that service to our communities is at the heart of this day, as it was at the heart of Dr. King’s life’s work.

It’s cold, and so, if you’re looking for a warm way to honor Dr. King, I recommend starting some new traditions at your house. Bake a pecan pie (King’s favorite dessert) and eat it while watching “Eyes on the Prize,” “America’s Civil Rights Years,” “Selma,” or the new movie “Rustin” on Netflix with family or friends. You could commit to make sure on this day each year you check in on a neighbor, or participate in volunteer work or service projects. I saw that Project Bee put out a call for winter gear and meals for our unhoused neighbors. Call Project BEE to donate. Do you know much about the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act that Dr. King fought so hard for? See what you can learn! By helping others, building connections, and learning more about each other and the heroes and sheroes who have fought and even died for our rights, we can bridge divides, heal wounds, and create lasting change that will benefit our communities for years to come.

In North Dakota, we have the chance to continue the legacy of Dr. King, not just through remembrance, but through active participation in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice. It is a day to celebrate service, to honor the past, and to shape the future–a future that Dr. King believed was filled with hope and the promise of equality and freedom for all. I look forward to seeing many more celebrations next year.