Living the dream

Patrick Elisha, 12

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. epitomized the axiom, "Those who have never tried will never succeed." Martin Luther King Jr. was intensely involved in the Civil Rights Movement. During the historic March on Washington, where King delivered his legendary "I have a dream" speech and his speech on jobs and freedom, he directly reflected his ideals on human rights. When a man's capacity to learn and give is so great, he is unstoppable in fulfilling his life long dreams. Martin Luther King Jr. was no ordinary man. The principles which he stood for were anything but regular. They were heroic.

Dr. King greatly inspired our nation to participate in the battle for human rights. By organizing peaceful demonstrations and nonviolent events of considerable magnitude, Dr. King influenced local organizations in many cities and states. Topeka was no exception to these events and movements dedicated to his cause.

Not limited to the local or national level, Dr. King's influence showed and revealed to the world what was happening in America. His views were expressed in speeches and marches. His historic speech in Oslo, Norway, when he received the Nobel Peace Prize, was yet one more opportunity to bring his vision to a global stage. Quoting from Martin Luther King Jr.'s autobiography, the power of the historical event, March on Washington, caused the world to witness for one moment. "As television beamed the image of this extraordinary gathering across the border oceans, everyone who believed in man's capacity to better himself had a moment of inspiration and confidence in the future of the human race." This quote is one of many instances confirming the universal impact King had on people throughout the world. He continued his fight for civil rights up to his tragic end. Dr. King showed the world how the power of an individual could change the course of human rights, a huge battle that would show the results many generations later.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took a personal stand against racism and stood up for the rights of all human beings. Dr. King left behind a profound legacy that is being passed down from generation to generation. His life is now the story of how one man can impact society and change the course of a nation. As Dr. King said, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Both tragic and equally heroic in this movement in history, King's legacy is an eternal light piercing the dark evils of racial injustice in our humanity.

Community service

Joe Vosburg, 11

Cesar Chavez once said, "We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. ... Our ambition must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sake and for our own." The importance of community service is very high, and that by simply helping one another, civilization may just stay intact.

The first place where community service starts is with me. This not only affects me, but it affects everybody and everything around me. From helping your neighbor rake leaves in the fall to volunteering at a hospital in the spring, it doesn't matter where or when, community service is crucial to society. In the process of doing some community service, it is almost certain that you will make some friends along the way. As an individual and a part of a local community, community service is very important and valuable.

By doing some community service and helping one another, it will spread globally, making us all one community. Asia could be helping South American vegetation and manufacturing. North America could be helping Africa with disease and water clarity. All of this can happen so easily. Rather than war and disagreements, we can be curing diseases like cancer, HIV and possibly AIDS. All of this is possible with a little community service and understanding. Community service is not only important but a priority to our world and a very wonderful thing.

Community service solves just about anything. If there is a prejudice, community service may weaken or even stop it. If person A is prejudiced against person B, and person B were to do something nice, like help clean up person A's yard, that prejudice might go away. An acquaintanceship or maybe even a friendship can come out of it. Like written above, it can help make peace, and with peace there's justice.

In the words of Cesar Chavez, "We are never strong enough that we don't need help." He's saying that we can't make this world a better and closer place by ourselves. If we're offered some help, we should definitely accept it. Community service is what keeps us strong and together.