Page 6, Portland Observer, January 15, 1906
Martin Luther King, Jr. Family of Schools
gives new expression to Dr. King's life
r/v
In i elcbration o f the first M artin l.uther King national holiday Jan. 20.
o iiie Mt.iMKi students and educators from 15 U.S. schools associated with his
name .ire giving new expression to the civil rights leader's ideas.
I he schools are part o f the Martin l.uther King Family of Schools Net-
w o rk, a N ational Lducation Project made possible w ith the support o f
American < an Company, and together they have been working on special
p i' >iii is and activities to demonstrate what Dr. King's legacy means to a new
generation ol young people.
'working holiday’ in honor o f her late husband.” she added.
The “ Collector of Dreams" writing project has students describing their
“ dreams" and those of people they have interviewed Representative responses
w ill be circulated throughout the N etw ork, via a q uarterly publication
published by American Can Company and designed to be a forum for ex­
changing information among the schools nationwide Author Alex Haley is
honorary chairman o f "Collector of Dreams" guidelines committee
U)
O
The "Weaver o f Dreams” presentation quilt involves students designing
and sewing individual quilted squares according to size and shape specifications
developed by quilting artist Mane Wilson. A volunteer quilling team is joining
the squares to complete the oversize hanging quilt, which was dedicated on Jan
14 at the Martin I uther King, Jr., ( enter for Nonviolence Social Change in
Atlanta, GA. I he quilt will then be exhibited at various U.S sites during the
year.
Because o f the need in public schools and communities, a pilot conflict-
resolution program to reduce physical and verbal violence by applying Dr
King's philosophy o f nonviolence, was launched in November at Martin I uther
King, Jr.. High School in New York C ity. Student government representatives
have taken the lead at the school, and by working with Dr. Claudwcll Thomas,
chairman. Department of Psychiatry, at the King Drew Medical Center in Los
Angeles. ( A, and Parent Association presidents from some Network schools,
they are implementing strategies for reducing violence and stress at school,
home, and in the workplace.
Shown here is the gotd com foR stamp issued in honor of Martin Luther King,
Jr It is one of a collection of worldwide stamps paying honor to this great
humanitarian and Nobel Peace Pnze winner
JMplja U lappa A lp lfa
§ u ru rity , 3)nc.
To commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, the Martin Luther King
Family of Schools Network's eighty foot by 10 foot "Weaver of Dreams"
preMHtatiori quilt was dedicated at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non
V« 'lent Social Change during "King Week," Jan 14. The quilt, composed of 35
distinct quilting blocks submitted by MLK Network school children from all
grades, elementary through high school, artistically demonstrates the signifi
conce of Dr King's legacy to young people today Above, volunteers Edith
Cherry, left, and Irma Berrios, right, work with needle and thread to unite
representative quilting blocks submitted by school children throughout the
nation.
" Alter a year of preparation and developm ent," said Carolyn Jones,
chaiim an, M arlin Luther King, Jr., Fam ily o f Schools Network Steering
< onimittee, "students, faculty, and school administrators in communities ac­
ross the nation are ready to celebrate Dr. King's birthday.” Network activities
include " ( o lle c to r ol Dreams” essays, a unique patchwork "W eaver of
Dreams” q u ilt, a conflict-resolution project to reduce physical and verbal
violence in schools; and a new documentary film o u tlin in g Dr. King's
philosophy and nonviolent approach to social justice.
"None of this would have been possible without the hands-on involvement
and linunctal support ol American Can Company," Jones said. The Network's
activities aie positive steps toward realizing Coretta Scott King's vision ol a
AFT marks King Day
w ith radio campaign
I he Am erican Federation o f
Teachers (A I L) and its affiliates arc
sponsoring a m yriad o f activities
ranging horn a national radio adver­
tising campaign to posters, lesson
plans and I dins focusing on the life
,utd times o l die Lite IX. Martin Luther
King, Jr. in honor of the first official
holiday observance ol the civil rights
leader’s birthday
Beginning in m id-January and
tuned to the federal holiday obsersan-
ex- o l Ian 20. the AF'T will be airing a
60 second paid and public service
radio spot which pays tribute to Dr.
King who would have turned 57 on
Jan 15.
I he realization that today’ s ele­
mentary and secondary school
students were not alive dunng the civil
tig h ts movement o f the 1960s and
weie not actual witnesses to the teach-
n i and work of Dr. King prompted
tin- A l I to design a 60 second radio
spot on the lessons society can learn
from his enduring struggle
I he spot incorporates the thoughts
ol a jun ior high history teacher, an
actual clip from a King address to an
\ l I meeting in New York in 1964
and a closing tag line from a
Washington. IH teacher who salutes
|)i King and others working to keep
the dream alive
I he District of Columbia teacher,
Donal I eace. has been a dedicated
follower ot Dr King over the years. A
te n her in the DC schools lo r eight
veais, I ease participated in the 1963
March on Washington and performed
at numerous King rallies held in Ihe
nation’ s capital Leace teaches tele­
vision history and acting at the Duke
I -Kington School for the Performing
Arts.
In declaring 19X6 the year o f
" la v in g the D re a m ," AF T President
Albert Shanker said approximately
sub radio stations around the United
States w ill be airing this spot as a
public crvice announcement during
19X6.
"W hile most adults remember his
pioneering work as i f it took place
. \
dav. voung Americans
today view the growth o f the civil
rights movement as a history lesson.
Dr King is viewed almost as a charac-
ter in a book, rather than a
charismatic leader whose message is
still vital today,” said Shanker.
He added, " I he A F T . recognizing
this problem among our students,
hopes this spot can bring Dr King's
message to light in a context students
—and in fact, all Am ericans—can
understand."
Zeta Sigma Omega
presents
Its Founder's Day
Celebration
Feb. 15.1986
at the
Red Lion
(Lloyd Center)
Coretta Scott King, center, president. Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non
violent Social Change, recently discussed her husband s philosophy of non­
violence with students from schools in Atlanta, GA Cameras were rolling,
because the dialogue is part of a new documentary film, "Heroes The Legacy
of Martin Luther King, JR " The 30 minute film, with its Classroom Discussion
Guide, will be released to schools throughout the nation during January 1906
I it led Heroes.' I he I exact o f Dr M arlin I uther King, Jr., the documen­
tary film records testimony ol people involved in Montgomery and B ir­
mingham demonstrations and present day students, to relate Dr King's
philosophy to problems faced by today's youth. Ihe film, underwritten by an
American Can Company I oundation grant, will be distributed in videotape
format to Network schools in early January. Teachers’ guides will accompany
the videotajvcs.
Applauding the Network's efforts to get students and teachers involved in
spreading Dr. King's legacy, Coretta Scott King, president o f the M artin
Luther King ( enter for Nonviolence Social Change, said, "B y involving stu­
dents and (acuity from schools throughout the nation, the Network is helping
to make this holiday what it should be a day of doing, a day o f reflection and
education, a day o f getting involved in nonviolent action fo r achieving
humanitarian goals.”
6:00 p.m. Cocktails
7:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m. Program
BANQUET & TICKETS:
$25.00 DONATION
Guest Speaker
MARTIN LUTHER KING III
Donation will benefit the Martin Luther King &
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship Funds
for ticket information
Call 284-3342
THE PEOPLE
AT PACIHC POWER
JOIN IN
CELEBRATING
THE MEMORY OF A
GREAT AMERICAN :
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
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