Martin Luther King Jr. Day was on January 15, which is around the time of King’s birthday and was celebrated as a holiday starting in 1971 by states and cities, but it was not passed as a legal holiday until 1983. King has left a great legacy that has definitely given the world an insight to how rough it was being a African American during his times. Although racism is not completely gone from today’s society, it is a situation being addressed. He was born January 15th, 1929, and died April 4th, 1968.

Mark Mckinney is a world cultures teacher, and the man behind the Veterans Legacies class at YCHS. He says, “King is one of the greatest Americans ever because of his movements and him voicing his opinion.” McKinney thinks the things he did teaches all to be tolerant and to have peace. Mckinney also believes that if he didn’t do the things he did, it would have taken us much longer to get to where we are as far as the reduction of racism goes.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using the tactics of nonviolence and civil disobedience based on his Christian Beliefs and inspired by the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi.

Matt Opitz, the English and law & politics teacher at YCHS, ”Growing up I was taught  to be colorblind when it comes to races and differences and I believe that all races are equal.”

Within Yamhill county there’s a winery business called Chehalem Valley that held a celebration for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  this year’s theme was “Be the Dream.”  In addition to spoken word, musical, vocal and dance performances, they had special guest speaker Inez Pena share her own life journey and the ways that it has been impacted by Dr. King’s life and work.

Around the campus of YCHS, a couple of staff members and a student have explained how King’s legacy has affected their life and our society.

Amadi Hays is a sophomore who is of African American heritage. Amadi says “the things King has done has gotten rid of segregation but not racism.” He also believes that if King had not done the things he did, we would still have segregation.