senator chris murphy mlk essay contest

Wallingford Student Wins Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge

W ALLINGFORD, CT — Madison Persaud, a sixth-grade student at James H. Moran Middle School in Wallingford, was among the 15 elementary, middle, and high school students from across Connecticut selected as winners of U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy's eighth annual “Martin Luther King Jr. Day Essay Contest.”

This year, Murphy (D-Conn.) received more than 1,650 entries from Connecticut students reflecting on Dr. King’s dream and their own aspirations.

“As we reflect on Dr. King’s fight for equality and justice, we are reminded of the work still ahead,” Murphy said in a statement. “Every year, I am so impressed by the students from across the state who submit such thoughtful essays on what Dr. King’s legacy means to them. Their hope and determination to build a more equitable future should inspire us all.”

Read Persaud’s essay below:

Martin Luther King Junior’s dream was important because he wanted civil rights for all people. He wanted people to be judged for who they are as a person, not what they look like. He was an advocate for people who didn’t have a voice, and he was willing to risk his life for people's rights in the future. He had hope; he believed that he could change the world.

He inspires me because my family immigrated to America from Guyana. In Guyana, my mom lived in poverty. She was cleaning people’s houses by the time she was 6, struggling throughout her life. When she met my dad, they made the choice to move to America. They sacrificed a lot to make sure that my siblings and I had a good life. She worked hard, and because of MLK’s work towards equality, she was able to be successful.

Today, my mom works for Hartford Healthcare, providing care to elderly people. As I get older, I realize the importance of health care, and I have a dream of being a registered nurse. I want to succeed in this dream because I grew up seeing people in extremely poor living environments.

Seeing my parents so successful motivated me to believe in myself. His dream, work, and legacy motivate me to work hard and believe, even when I don’t feel confident. He had a voice for those who didn’t, and even though racism was a lot worse than it is today, that didn’t stop Dr. King from advocating for all people. His hard work and determination inspire me to reach for my goals, stay in school and keep on going, even if people tell me otherwise. MLK not only inspires me to work harder but to be optimistic at hard times.

The article Wallingford Student Wins Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge appeared first on Wallingford Patch .

Students reflect on MLK's legacy in a CT essay contest. Here are some of the winners

Over 60 years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “ I Have a Dream ” speech from the Lincoln Memorial steps. Today, his vision of America still resonates in young Connecticut residents.

“I think we should all have dreams about what a better world could look like,” said 9-year-old Emma Hadari.

Hadari is one of fifteen winners in a statewide essay contest asking students to reflect on their own goals and King’s legacy. For the last eight years, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy has opened the contest to students in elementary, middle and high school.

Sabrina Guerra, 11, described in their winning essay how King’s work inspires them to bring equality to marginalized people. Guerra is an autistic non-speaker and an advocate for people with disabilities . “Writing about my lived experience is often painful, but the strength of change makers before me propels me onward,” Guerra shared.

Cooper Brown, 12, another 2023 essay winner, sees the holiday as a time for introspection. “MLK Day is really a day to reflect and think about the choices that we've made, the choices that we can make for the future to help inspire change,” Brown said.

In the contest, three submissions are chosen from each of the state’s congressional districts. The 2024 winning essays will be posted  online  on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Read some of the winning 2023 essays below:

Cooper Brown, 12

Working to make change is like riding a bike. Sometimes you are bruised, but what matters most is to keep pedaling forward.

'My dreams aren't for myself, but for others'

Bombed, battered and bruised he stood, but broken he was not. With wise words of inspiration to change, King said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great of a burden to bear.” He was right. The burden of hate almost broke our bombed, battered, and bruised nation. Our bruise, the hate inflicted on this country, has turned into a scar forever marking our history.

Dr. King had a dream of hope, a dream of change. He inspired people of color to take action, he inspired me. Even from Birmingham jail he tried to inspire action. He inspires me to chase my dreams everyday despite challenges.

I dream of going to Yale, to become a public servant following in the footsteps of King. My dreams aren't for myself, but for others. As a politician, I want to fight for equality and uplift people who are struggling. That's why Dr. King’s mission has deep meaning to me, a kid trying to make a difference. At 9, I became student council president at my elementary school, learning of my election the same day President Biden learned about his.

A year earlier during COVID lockdown, I started my own mission. As a biracial American I wanted to give back to the community like MLK. The mission was to give bikes to kids who might go their whole childhood without a bike. I partnered with a non-profit collecting bikes around the Farmington Valley and organized giveaways in Hartford. Ironically, at the time I didn't know how to ride a two-wheel bike myself.

I started this project to be selfless. Selfless like King, who sacrificed his life to his mission. Working to make change is like riding a bike.

Sometimes you are bruised but what matters most is to keep pedaling forward.

Emma Hadari, 9

I have a dream that one day every school will feel safe, with no practice lockdowns, no school shootings, and gun-free neighborhoods with children playing together on every street and park.

'Take his message and keep going'

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tells people in his “I Have a Dream” speech to not judge others by the color of their skin, but to focus on their character. Racism was the focus of Dr. King's speech, but I think that we need to take his message and keep going.

These are some of my dreams: I have a dream that one day this country will hold this truth to be self-evident: that all men AND WOMEN are created equal.

I have a dream that one day on every playground in America, LGBTQ+ kids and straight kids will play together and hold hands on swings. I have a dream that one day every town in the U.S. will be transformed into a safe place for people with mental illness or disabilities.

I have a dream that all children will one day live in a nation where they won’t be judged by how rich or poor they are, but by how honest, kind, and loving they are.

I have a dream that one day boys and girls who come from other countries will be able to join hands with white boys and girls and feel like they really belong.

I have a dream today.

Sabrina Guerra, 11

My advocacy is a fire that burns within my damaged yet proud and beautiful soul.

'An inextinguishable flame for justice'

Martin Luther King Jr. aspired to bring peace and equality to oppressed people. I share this dream. I am of a marginalized group fighting for our right to be heard, the right to define ourselves, and the right to belong. I am an autistic non-speaker and I've been subjected to mistreatment and segregation because of prejudice and ignorance. Like MLK Jr., I have an inextinguishable flame for justice.

Ableism is a damaging force in society, destroying souls and sowing division. Ableism looms over America's education system, saturates our medical institutions, and shrouds our media. In my lived experience ableism usurped my right to an equal education.

MLK Jr. made history by a tireless campaign toward progress. He refused his challengers' insistence that he and his people patiently wait for justice. As was right and bold then, our revolution is now. Disabled voices must be amplified over those who have no authority to speak for us, define us, nor deny us access.

On countless occasions my mind has sailed to feats of unyielding courage of Martin Luther King Jr. and his peers. Many stinging, similar offenses and parallel dreams tie my aspirations to their journeys and leadership.

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Students reflect on MLK's legacy in a CT essay contest. Here are some of the winners

Over 60 years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “ I Have a Dream ” speech from the Lincoln Memorial steps. Today, his vision of America still resonates in young Connecticut residents.

“I think we should all have dreams about what a better world could look like,” said 9-year-old Emma Hadari.

Hadari is one of fifteen winners in a statewide essay contest asking students to reflect on their own goals and King’s legacy. For the last eight years, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy has opened the contest to students in elementary, middle and high school.

Sabrina Guerra, 11, described in their winning essay how King’s work inspires them to bring equality to marginalized people. Guerra is an autistic non-speaker and an advocate for people with disabilities . “Writing about my lived experience is often painful, but the strength of change makers before me propels me onward,” Guerra shared.

Cooper Brown, 12, another 2023 essay winner, sees the holiday as a time for introspection. “MLK Day is really a day to reflect and think about the choices that we've made, the choices that we can make for the future to help inspire change,” Brown said.

In the contest, three submissions are chosen from each of the state’s congressional districts. The 2024 winning essays will be posted  online  on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Read some of the winning 2023 essays below:

Cooper Brown, 12

Working to make change is like riding a bike. Sometimes you are bruised, but what matters most is to keep pedaling forward.

'My dreams aren't for myself, but for others'

Bombed, battered and bruised he stood, but broken he was not. With wise words of inspiration to change, King said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great of a burden to bear.” He was right. The burden of hate almost broke our bombed, battered, and bruised nation. Our bruise, the hate inflicted on this country, has turned into a scar forever marking our history.

Dr. King had a dream of hope, a dream of change. He inspired people of color to take action, he inspired me. Even from Birmingham jail he tried to inspire action. He inspires me to chase my dreams everyday despite challenges.

I dream of going to Yale, to become a public servant following in the footsteps of King. My dreams aren't for myself, but for others. As a politician, I want to fight for equality and uplift people who are struggling. That's why Dr. King’s mission has deep meaning to me, a kid trying to make a difference. At 9, I became student council president at my elementary school, learning of my election the same day President Biden learned about his.

A year earlier during COVID lockdown, I started my own mission. As a biracial American I wanted to give back to the community like MLK. The mission was to give bikes to kids who might go their whole childhood without a bike. I partnered with a non-profit collecting bikes around the Farmington Valley and organized giveaways in Hartford. Ironically, at the time I didn't know how to ride a two-wheel bike myself.

I started this project to be selfless. Selfless like King, who sacrificed his life to his mission. Working to make change is like riding a bike.

Sometimes you are bruised but what matters most is to keep pedaling forward.

Emma Hadari, 9

I have a dream that one day every school will feel safe, with no practice lockdowns, no school shootings, and gun-free neighborhoods with children playing together on every street and park.

'Take his message and keep going'

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tells people in his “I Have a Dream” speech to not judge others by the color of their skin, but to focus on their character. Racism was the focus of Dr. King's speech, but I think that we need to take his message and keep going.

These are some of my dreams: I have a dream that one day this country will hold this truth to be self-evident: that all men AND WOMEN are created equal.

I have a dream that one day on every playground in America, LGBTQ+ kids and straight kids will play together and hold hands on swings. I have a dream that one day every town in the U.S. will be transformed into a safe place for people with mental illness or disabilities.

I have a dream that all children will one day live in a nation where they won’t be judged by how rich or poor they are, but by how honest, kind, and loving they are.

I have a dream that one day boys and girls who come from other countries will be able to join hands with white boys and girls and feel like they really belong.

I have a dream today.

Sabrina Guerra, 11

My advocacy is a fire that burns within my damaged yet proud and beautiful soul.

'An inextinguishable flame for justice'

Martin Luther King Jr. aspired to bring peace and equality to oppressed people. I share this dream. I am of a marginalized group fighting for our right to be heard, the right to define ourselves, and the right to belong. I am an autistic non-speaker and I've been subjected to mistreatment and segregation because of prejudice and ignorance. Like MLK Jr., I have an inextinguishable flame for justice.

Ableism is a damaging force in society, destroying souls and sowing division. Ableism looms over America's education system, saturates our medical institutions, and shrouds our media. In my lived experience ableism usurped my right to an equal education.

MLK Jr. made history by a tireless campaign toward progress. He refused his challengers' insistence that he and his people patiently wait for justice. As was right and bold then, our revolution is now. Disabled voices must be amplified over those who have no authority to speak for us, define us, nor deny us access.

On countless occasions my mind has sailed to feats of unyielding courage of Martin Luther King Jr. and his peers. Many stinging, similar offenses and parallel dreams tie my aspirations to their journeys and leadership.

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Murphy to honor winners of MLK Day essay contest

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NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy is throwing a party to honor 15 students from across Connecticut who submitted winning entries in his annual Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest.

The Connecticut Democrat has scheduled a pizza party at the New Britain police department on Sunday.

More than 1,000 students from elementary, middle and high schools statewide submitted essays sharing their thoughts on King’s dream and their own aspirations.

Murphy says he was impressed with the essays, and the students’ optimism gives him much hope for the future.

The senator is displaying the winning essays at his Hartford office and has posted them on his website .

Newtown Bethel Your Local News for Newtown and Bethel

Brothers From Newtown Named As Winners In Sen. Murphy's MLK Essay Contest

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Two brothers from Newtown are among the winners in the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Essay Challenge sponsored by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy. 

Kenneth Miller of Newtown is all smiles after meeting U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy last summer at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. Kenneth was named as a winner in the senator's MLK essay contest.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy goes to high-five Kenneth Miller after the 6-year-old asked a question at a meeting last August at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown.

“Dr. King inspired us all to fight for justice and equality. For the second year in a row, I’m totally blown away by the essays and ideas of these students. It was hard to pick just a few winners,” said Murphy.

Kenneth Konrad Miller, 7, a student at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and his brother, Karl Daniel Miller, a student at Newtown High, wrote about their experiences as African-American students in largely white town.

In his essay, Karl wrote about racism that he has encountered from his classmates, but said, "My dream is that we are able to celebrate our diversity and accept each other as we are. My dream is that my little brother, who shares my black hair and brown skin, never experiences what I have. My gratitude is that I have so much more than I would if not for the dreams of Martin Luther King."

His younger brother, Kenneth, wrote in his essay about how he relates to King. "I am like Dr. King because I am different from most of my friends because my skin is brown, but, because of him, I go to Sandy Hook School, which is really awesome. I also spend everyday practicing being kind" like King. 

Kenneth met Murphy last summer during a Town Hall meeting in his hometown and brought up the topic of kindness.

The 7-year-old waited patiently in line for nearly an hour for his turn to ask the senator a question.

“How can we make America kind again?” Kenneth asked. Murphy gave Kenneth a high-five and told a story about a similar question from his 8-year-old son, Owen, who asked, “Dad, what’s the point of all this?”

"And what I said to him was that when it all comes down to it, I think the point is to be kind. And to try and make things better for one another. And to help people," Murphy said.

Kenneth, who said with a big smile that he was "terrified" to ask this question, said that Murphy gave him "a pretty good answer." [ Click here for the story of the meeting at Daily Voice.]

Murphy announced 15 winners in his essay contest — students from elementary, middle, and high schools across Connecticut.

About 700 students submitted essays to Murphy’s office reflecting on Dr. King’s dream and their own aspirations. The winning essays will be displayed in Murphy’s office. 

“We reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and I hope that students across Connecticut who wrote essays took it as an opportunity to do so. If they stay engaged and fight hard for what they believe in, they can accomplish anything they set their minds to,” Murphy said.

Here are the winners, with three in each Congressional District:

Congressional District #1:

• Aarav Mathur – Aiken Elementary School in West Hartford
• Zishan Ahmed – John F. Kennedy Middle School in Plantsville
• Malik Martin – Connecticut River Academy in East Hartford

Congressional District #2:

• Quentin Kuczaj – Windermere School in Ellington
• Avni Kabra – East Lyme Middle School
• Colleen Keller – East Lyme High School

Congressional District #3:

• Rodney Crockett Jr. – Moody Elementary School in Middletown
• Maia Quarles – City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck
• Alex Guzhnay – Achievement First Amistad High School in New Haven

Congressional District #4:

• Ryan El-ouardighi – K.T. Murphy School in Stamford
• Kristopher Flores – Roton Middle School in Norwalk
• Latrel Stewart – Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk

Congressional District #5:

• Kenneth Konrad Miller – Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown
• Kyler Kumi – Rochanmbeau Middle School in Southbury
• Karl Daniel Miller – Newtown High School

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• Murphy Shares Winning Essays of His 7th…

Murphy Shares Winning Essays of His 7th Annual 'Martin Luther King Jr. Day Essay Challenge'

Government and Politics

January 18, 2023

HARTFORD—In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Tuesday the 15 winners of his seventh annual ‘Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Essay Contest.’ This year, Murphy received close to 2,000 entries from elementary, middle, and high school students from across Connecticut reflecting on Dr. King’s dream and their own aspirations.

“The best way to honor Dr. King is to continue his fight for equality and justice. Every year, I’m blown away and inspired by the thoughtful reflections on Dr. King’s legacy from students all across Connecticut. Their hope and determination should remind us all that young people are changing the world,” said Murphy.

The winning essays can be viewed below. Click on each student’s name to download his or her essay.

1st Congressional District Winners: Emma Hadari, John F. Kennedy School Alanna Jackson, Chippens Hill Middle School Meranyelis Negron Figueroa, A.I. Prince Technical High School

2nd Congressional District Winners: Eli Mickus, Deans Mill School Vanessa Spruill, Kelly Middle School Rebecca Harper, Windham Technical High School

3rd Congressional District Winners: Eugene Lawrence-Marsh, Hop Brook Elementary Gabriela Alvarez, Ansonia Middle School Venice Montanaro, Joseph A. Foran High School

4th Congressional District Winners: Sabrina Guerra, Virtual ACCESS Academy Juliet Chattaway, New Canaan Country School Princesse Ashley Hyppolite, J.M. Wright Technical High School

5th Congressional District Winners: Eloise Clemente, Washington Primary School Cooper Brown, Thompson Brook School Kuang-Tsu Lee, Bethel High School

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West Hartford Fourth-Grader a Winner in Sen. Chris Murphy’s MLK Essay Challenge

Aarav Mathur, a fourth-grader at Aiken Elementary School in West Hartford, was one of just 15 winners statewide in the contest.

By Ronni Newton

Aarav Mathur was one of approximatey 700 students to enter U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy’s second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Essay Challenge, and the West Hartford fourth-grader was excited to learn that he was selected as one of just 15 winners from throughout the state – and one of only three in the first Congressional district.

The challenge was open to elementary, middle, and high school students from Connecticut. The 500-word maximum essays were to “ reflect on Dr. King’s dream and their own aspirations,” according to a news release from the senator’s office.

“Racism, homophobia, and prejudice are tragically alive and well in America today,” said Murphy in a statement announcing the essay contest. He said he launched the challenge to encourage students throughout the state to help make “Dr. King’s dream for equality – no matter your skin color, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation – a reality.” 

In his essay, shared by Aiken Elementary School Principal Shannon Mlodzinski (included at the end of this article and in its original form, complete with illustration, as a PDF below), Aarav wrote about race relations in the 1960s and said that King “was a black man who gained equal rights not for his family, but for all of America.”

Discrimination existed because of skin color, Aarav said. “Dr. King thought this was wrong and wanted to change things by fighting back without actually fighting,” he wrote.

Aarav said in his essay that race relations are better now than they were in King’s era, and that if King were still alive, he would think his dream came true when Barack Obama was elected as the country’s first black president.

Aarav wrote that his own aspirations are to “be very smart and educated,” something made possible by Martin Luther King Jr’s efforts.

“His famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech from 1963 can help me go to Yale when I go for college,” Aarav wrote.

“Dr. King inspired us all to fight for justice and equality. For the second year in a row, I’m totally blown away by the essays and ideas of these students. It was hard to pick just a few winners,” said Murphy in a statement on Monday. “Today, we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and I hope that students across Connecticut who wrote essays took it as an opportunity to do so. If they stay engaged and fight hard for what they believe in, they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.”

Winning essays will be displayed in Murphy’s office, and all of the winners have also been invited to join Murphy at a special pancake breakfast celebration at Wesleyan University.

Aarav Mathur’s essay:

Martin Luther King Jr. was a black man who gained equal rights not for his family, but for all of America. He did this because back in the 1960, black and white people were not at peace. This was because white people thought they were more talented than black people, since their skin was lighter. This also occurred with other certain regions. Dr. King thought this was wrong and wanted to change things by fighting back without actually fighting, just like Mahatma Gandhi did with the British.      

I believe that if Dr. King were here in the present, he would think his dream finally came true, and that our country chose Barack Obama as President. I think people still have problems getting along, but it is much better now thanks to him.

When I grow up my dream is to be very smart and educated. Martin Luther King Jr’s efforts made this possible by allowing different people the chance to do anything they wanted. His famous “I Have A Dream” speech from 1963 can help me go to Yale when I go for college.

The complete list of winners, provided by Murphy’s office, are:

Congressional District #1 Winners:

• Aarav Mathur – Aiken Elementary School in West Hartford
•   Zishan Ahmed – John F. Kennedy Middle School in Plantsville
• Malik Martin – Connecticut River Academy in East Hartford

Congressional District #2 Winners:

• Quentin Kuczaj – Windermere School in Ellington
• Avni Kabra – East Lyme Middle School
• Colleen Keller – East Lyme High School

Congressional District #3 Winners:

• Rodney Crockett Jr. – Moody Elementary School in Middletown
• Maia Quarles – City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck
• Alex Guzhnay – Achievement First Amistad High School in New Haven

Congressional District #4 Winners:

• Ryan El-ouardighi – K.T. Murphy School in Stamford
• Kristopher Flores – Roton Middle School in Norwalk
• Latrel Stewart – Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk

Congressional District #5 Winners:

• Kenneth Konrad Miller – Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown
• Kyler Kumi – Rochanmbeau Middle School in Southbury
• Karl Daniel Miller – Newtown High School

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We-Ha.com is the place to go for the latest information about West Hartford – a town that "has it all"! We-Ha.com is part of and proud of our community, and we bring a hyperlocal focus to news and features about the people, schools, businesses, real estate, sports, restaurants, charitable events, arts, and more. Contact us at: [email protected] or [email protected] .

Great.. Aarav Mathur… Definitely your dream become true. Teach our children to not only academics but also our society and our culture. We want moral valued young generation.

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US Sen. Chris Murphy Launches 2nd Annual MLK Essay Contest

Published january 6, 2018 • updated on january 6, 2018 at 1:50 pm.

Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy is launching is second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge.

The Democrat is urging elementary, middle and high school students across the state to honor the late civil rights leader by submitting essays reflecting on King's dream and their own aspirations.

Murphy says he hopes the essay challenge will encourage young people all over Connecticut to "commit to making Dr. King's dream for equality" a reality. He says "racism, homophobia and prejudice are tragically alive and well in America today."

January 10 is the deadline for submissions. Essays should be no longer than 500 words for high school, 300 words for middle school and 100-to-200 words for elementary school students. They can be submitted online by clicking here.

Selected essays will be displayed in Murphy's Washington office.

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• Nation & World

US Sen. Chris Murphy launches 2nd annual MLK essay contest

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy is launching is second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge.

The Democrat is urging elementary, middle and high school students across the state to honor the late civil rights leader by submitting essays reflecting on King’s dream and their own aspirations.

Murphy says he hopes the essay challenge will encourage young people all over Connecticut to “commit to making Dr. King’s dream for equality” a reality. He says “racism, homophobia and prejudice are tragically alive and well in America today.”

January 10 is the deadline for submissions. Essays should be no longer than 500 words for high school, 300 words for middle school and 100-to-200 words for elementary school students. They should be submitted online.

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Selected essays will be displayed in Murphy’s Washington office.

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Wallingford Student Wins Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Challenge

U.s. sen. chris murphy announces the winners of his eighth annual "martin luther king jr. day essay contest.".

Vincent Salzo , Patch Staff

WALLINGFORD, CT — Madison Persaud, a sixth-grade student at James H. Moran Middle School in Wallingford, was among the 15 elementary, middle, and high school students from across Connecticut selected as winners of U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy's eighth annual “Martin Luther King Jr. Day Essay Contest.”

This year, Murphy (D-Conn.) received more than 1,650 entries from Connecticut students reflecting on Dr. King’s dream and their own aspirations.

“As we reflect on Dr. King’s fight for equality and justice, we are reminded of the work still ahead,” Murphy said in a statement. “Every year, I am so impressed by the students from across the state who submit such thoughtful essays on what Dr. King’s legacy means to them. Their hope and determination to build a more equitable future should inspire us all.”

Find out what's happening in Wallingford with free, real-time updates from Patch.

Read Persaud’s essay below:

Martin Luther King Junior’s dream was important because he wanted civil rights for all people. He wanted people to be judged for who they are as a person, not what they look like. He was an advocate for people who didn’t have a voice, and he was willing to risk his life for people's rights in the future. He had hope; he believed that he could change the world.

He inspires me because my family immigrated to America from Guyana. In Guyana, my mom lived in poverty. She was cleaning people’s houses by the time she was 6, struggling throughout her life. When she met my dad, they made the choice to move to America. They sacrificed a lot to make sure that my siblings and I had a good life. She worked hard, and because of MLK’s work towards equality, she was able to be successful.

Today, my mom works for Hartford Healthcare, providing care to elderly people. As I get older, I realize the importance of health care, and I have a dream of being a registered nurse. I want to succeed in this dream because I grew up seeing people in extremely poor living environments.

Seeing my parents so successful motivated me to believe in myself. His dream, work, and legacy motivate me to work hard and believe, even when I don’t feel confident. He had a voice for those who didn’t, and even though racism was a lot worse than it is today, that didn’t stop Dr. King from advocating for all people. His hard work and determination inspire me to reach for my goals, stay in school and keep on going, even if people tell me otherwise. MLK not only inspires me to work harder but to be optimistic at hard times.

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