MLK Essay Writing Contest
Jan. 15 – Jan. 29
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an activist committed to peace, justice, and equality. As a visionary leader of the civil rights movement, King fought for racial and economic justice for the oppressed. His driving forces were nonviolence, love, the importance of family and self-respect. To commemorate the life, work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., BC students are invited to submit an essay on any topic that celebrates the work and legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Although you may write on any topic, these are sample essay topic ideas that you may use:
- “The Movement made Martin rather than Martin Making the Movement: Exploring the Overshadowed Role of Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement.” The topic our keynote speaker Dr. Kenya Davis-Hayes will be speaking on Thursday, January 21, 2021.
- Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.” In your essay, write about a time at school, with friends, or in the wider community when you faced a moral dilemma or an unjust situation.
- “Keep Moving Forward,” is a quote from Dr. King’s address “Keep Moving the Mountain” given at Spelman College on April 10, 1960. You can reflect on these words and how they relate to you or others in your families, schools, neighborhoods or world.
- “There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it.” What do you think about this quote? What can the US do about ending poverty?
Essays must be maximum of 500 words and must be your original work. Judges will select twenty essays written by students who will receive a book written by a prominent black author.
Essays will be judged on creativity, clarity, content, coherence and adherence to theme.
Students can submit their essays from 8:00 a.m. on January 15.
Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 29
Registration link: https://forms.bellevuecollege.edu/organizations/mlk-day-essay/
Sponsored by: Asian Pacific Island Student Association, Black Student Union, International Student Association, El Centro Latino, LGBTQ Resource Center, Arab Culture Student Association and BC Association of Veterans
For any questions about the MLK Essay contest, please contact: Nora Lance @ nlance@bellevuecollege.edu.