Each year, I write a blog post about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. centering around his accomplishments, with lots of links to websites with information to share with your children. This year, I am writing about him as a family man.
MLK (for short) was married to Coretta Scott King and they had four children - Yolanda Denise King, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott King, and Bernice Albertine King. Not surprisingly, all four dedicated their lives to be activists, following in their father’s footsteps.
Mrs. King was devoted to raising their children. She, nevertheless, took an active part in the civil rights movement, often participating in strategy meetings and marching at her husband’s side. After her husband’s death, she continued with his legacy. One of her most important accomplishments was establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) in honor of her husband.
Yolanda was the eldest child. It was reported that, when her father was arrested and jailed in 1963, she wanted to go to an amusement park named Funtown with her friends. Due to her race, though, she could not. MLK later wrote about it in a letter that became famous as Letter from Birmingham Jail. She was 12 years-old when her father was assassinated. Later, she became a well-known racial justice and human rights advocate.
MLK’s son, King III, became the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which had been established by his father. His daughter Yolanda, named after his sister, is 13 years-old and speaks out about voting rights.
Dexter led the Center for Nonviolent Social Change director, a charitable Atlanta-based association established by his family. Bernice became a lawyer, peace advocate, and a minister. She is also the CEO of The King Center, which her mother had established.
Below are some links with more information and videos that you can share with your children about MLK’s family. This is a special way to teach your children more about this great man.
For more information, please visit:
https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/about-mrs-king/
https://parade.com/1330595/jessicasager/martin-luther-king-jr-kids/
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/martin-luther-king-jr
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/letter-birmingham-jail
https://kidadl.com/facts/facts-about-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-s-children-you-should-know
