[Editor’s Note: Three inspired and inspiring seniors at Culver City High School — first-place Emanuel Rivers, second-place Liliana Sanchez and third-place Matthew Barrera — were judged to have written the strongest essays about Dr. Martin Luther King. They will be saluted and honored on Saturday during King Day ceremonies at the Culver City Senior Center, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. See The Lowdown in the right-hand column of the front page.]
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Continuing to Inspire”
By Emanuel Rivers
Throughout the world, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words and actions, have influenced many and affected this nation. He has given many speeches including his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, at the Lincoln Memorial, which is the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. As a student, he encourages me to keep striving and exceed all obstacles. As a human being, he influenced my decisions to look past racial differences. As a motivated young leader, he has showed me to have confidence in not only myself, but others around me. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been very influential in not only my life, but others in his time now and in the future.
As a student he inspired me to never stop, and to keep progressing through difficult situations. During high school, I have moved from California to Washington, for 9th to half of the 10th grade. In Washington, I went to several schools, each having its own personal differences. For instance, at Kentwood High school, my brother and I were part of the miniscule fraction of Black students. When I started school there I felt very obscure and misplaced, but as I made friends through theatre and music, those feelings diminished. Though I felt out-of-place, I didn't slow down or stop. I used the talents I had to overcome the feelings.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest of civil rights activists. Being raised in Los Angeles, diversity is abundant. In other places it's scarce. I can only imagine growing up in the South where people were discriminated against by the color of their skin. Dr. King, growing up in that difficult environment, inspired me not to look at how different my peers are, but how similar and what things we have in common as human beings. Standing up against the racial oppression took great courage, determination and confidence.
Dr. King, being a young leader himself, showed me that having confidence in yourself can bring great change. Being a young leader calls for confidence. Having self-confidence allowed me to get an interview, and work a summer job in the city of Culver City’s Treasurer’s Department. Dr. King showed confidence while giving his speeches and sermons. He also showed confidence when marching as passersby shouted insults and made rude gestures. Having self-confidence is the key in having confidence in others. Dr. King had confidence in his followers to continue to fight for their civil rights no matter how hard the fight became. During my summer job, I had confidence in my co-workers to come to work on time and to help get assignments done.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. still influences many people from leaders to students all around the world, such as President Barack Obama who has strived to change America. He has influenced me in many ways. Being a student, I have learned to keep progressing. Being a young man, I know all people should be treated equally, and as a young leader I intend to continue to have positive thoughts. Dr. King’s influence has helped mold me to what I am and to what I will become.
Mr. Rivers may be contacted — and congratulated at emanuel.rivers@gmail.com
Outlining Dr. King’s Imprint on the World
By Liliana Sanchez
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exemplified humanitarianism by unconsciously assuming the role of a philanthropis —someone whose disposition and efforts are directed toward the promotion of the well- being of mankind.
Simply by articulating his perception of love, Dr. King manifested the unparalleled power of love over the flawed power of hate in an unquestionably dark time.
And yet, living in such a disturbing time only encouraged Dr. King to envision a better tomorrow. He never questioned the potential of all people to rise above what they are to achieve something greater than themselves.
With conviction, he stated that “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.”
In this, I wholeheartedly agree with him. Mankind has the potential to break the chains that bind them to such debauchery and immorality. Someone once told me, “If you never believe anything greater than yourself, you will never be anything greater than yourself'.”
I reason that if Dr. King provides insight into that superior being, then I will live in such a way that surpasses what I believe I am capable of.
In regards to my education and my studies, Dr. King has inspired me to continue in my toil to receive an education by demonstrating the power of education.
Education separates the oppressors from the oppressed. Using the power of his knowledge, Dr. King released and freed the oppressed from the chains of their unknowing. Eloquently, he informed the people of their rights and encouraged them not to use violence as a method to avenge their deception. With merely his words, Dr. King encouraged a mass of people to not follow their natural instincts in violence but to adopt a more peaceful way of compromise.
In my venture to become a community leader, Dr. King has motivated me to follow in his footsteps, exchanging violence for peace. Dr. King wisely stated that there appears to be a need for “a method which rejects revenge, aggression, al1 retaliation. The foundation of such method is love” within a community — if it desires peace.
A leader must manifest a set of characteristics that exhibits his/her commitment toward achieving peace.
I refer to characteristics such as intelligence, loyalty, dignity and willingness. If I ever wish to assume this role, I must also assume these characteristics, and the burden of the complete trust of the people.
Using Dr. King as footsteps to follow, I shall continue his legacy on this earth. As simply a person, Dr. King revealed characteristics so rare in the world yet so abundant in him. In requesting change, he became the change he wished on everyone. He never asked someone to do something he could not do himself. When asking for peace and nonviolence, he, himself, expressed diplomacy in facing the people who objected to the movement for civil rights.
As a person, I wish to adopt the characteristics that aided Dr. King's movement for equality by peaceful means. Overall, I believe it is fair to say that everyone has the potential to follow in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s footsteps.
However, only a few truly possess the will to do so. Knowing that it will be a challenging, mentally and physically arduous journey only makes me that much more determined to do it. Dr. King has outlined a clear but difficult path that I can only strive to pursue.
My Inspiration…
By Matthew Barrera
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has inspired many students, including myself, to reach out and dream.
Dr. Martin Luther King Ir. was a civil rights leader who wanted his people to be equal to any other human being. He not only wanted equal rights but he also strived for peace! Dr. King deeply inspired me to fight for what is right. All of his movements proved that he wanted to change peoples’ perspectives and to view all colored people without seeing the difference in color.
In Dr. King’s quote, “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
In today's world his dream has not become a total reality; his death impacted many people but not to the point of eliminating racism. People still judge and react based on the color of their skin.
It is just not so obvious and open because if it were, people would be suing each other for racial discrimination. Just think about it. There are arguments that have classified colored people as different individuals but there is proof that white people, Hispanics and colored individuals can behave exactly the same way in a given situation.
For example, if I insult a white fellow, he can react exactly the same way as an Hispanic or even a colored person would.
It is all based on the inner feelings of the person who is provoked, the temper, and many other issues but not race.
After all the things that Dr. King went through to bring about change, we need to honor his memory every single moment and to keep his ideals in the back of our minds so that our society can become a better one.
I admire all Dr. King fought for, his goals, his dreams for equality and by declaring his fight.
He made it possible for many people to fight his battle after he left this earth. People should be known for the way they present themselves, by their character and for the great accomplishments they have made and not by being discriminatory against others due to race or color of skin.
Who is one to judge any person?
What really counts is the inner self, what is inside the soul and not the type of flesh one has.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. introduced peace with one another through the civil rights movement. He tried to change the way people treat each other. He has inspired me to do the right thing for all people regardless of shape, color or ethnicity.
He has taught me to stand up for what is righteous and to motivate young leaders to follow his steps to make our world a better one.
We can change our communities, our schools, our city, our world if we all strive to treat each other with equality.
