Schoolchildren need to learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. than his “I have a dream” speech, said Michelle Scott, associate professor of history, in a recent story about what children learn about the Civil Rights leader. Often, she said, students come to her class not knowing much about the context of the movement and King’s work.
“It’s helpful to take him down from the pedestal,” Scott said, “and show him as a real, working man, struggling against segregation and discrimination.” She said that she would like to see students exposed to King’s other works, including his Sunday sermons, to get more exposure to his ideas on poverty.
The story, “King Day presents opportunity for celebration, teaching,” appeared in the Baltimore Sun on January 17.
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