Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Fort Worth, TX

Today we celebrate the birthday of a great man. My generation was born shortly after he was assassinated, so he was always a figure we read about in history books.  For those in the South, stories from parents and grandparents about Mr. King's trials and tribulations are easy to come by. But, for a girl from Southern California, he was an elusive hero.

I grew up outside of Los Angeles. With that comes the reality that people can be kind, angry, helpful, bitter, beautiful, ugly, smart, and stupid regardless of their skin color. I never grew up with a pre-determined thought of those with different skin - I formed my opinion of someone based on their actions.

When I moved to Georgia, I had my first taste of what it must have been like in the '60's and I was astounded at the level of emotion that existed between the blacks and whites some 30 years after the height of the civil rights movement. But, for an ignorant white girl from So Cal, it never occurred to me that racism wouldn't vanish once people realized how ridiculous it was. I have now learned that scars last lifetimes and societal progress does not mean that everyone's heart automatically changes.  That healing of the heart takes time.

God blessed Mr. King with the ability to reach all levels of people with his charismatic nature and he blessed him with a heart for others. So how do we share with our children the gravity of Mr. King's message and the circumstances of our country at the time? Do we let them hear about in 5^th grade or do we instill in them now the importance of appreciating others for what they bring to the world? If we are not racist ourselves and we raise our children to treat everyone equally, do we ignore the history lesson hoping racism in our country will just go away if no one talks about it?

The beauty of Mr. King's message is that it goes beyond black and white; it was a Christian-based message to love each other as the brothers (and sisters) we are and reject injustice based on random accidents of nature.  To celebrate this very relevant message today, have a birthday party with your kids.  Serve a variety of foods to introduce children to other cultureâ¿¿s tasty treats.  Read A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the kids.  It's a great way to introduce him and his mission.

Teach your children to live out his legacy.  Find a local nonprofit organization that allows children to volunteer; explain to the kids that can honor his legend by helping others; ask kids to contribute other ideas about how they can "live the legacy" of Martin Luther King. They might mention being kind to people, speaking out against racism or fighting poverty.

Lastly, let me leave you with some quotes from the man himself:

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.