Post-Katrina: What Would MLK Do? January 15, 2007

In living the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr., fifty DC middle school students will participate in a free workshop entitled “Post-Katrina: What would MLK do?” creating art and poetry reflecting on how they can achieve the dream through Dr. King’s teachings on nonviolence on January 15th at Cardozo High. The goals of the free youth social change arts program is to recognize the role of community arts in transforming the MLK holiday into a day of action, “A Day On! Not a Day Off."

Using the lesson plans from the new movie, Freedom Writers, volunteer team leaders will work with students in the areas of creative writing, visual arts and drama to develop individual and group civic arts projects to showcase after the free 6-hour workshop. Students will take a quiz to test their civil rights knowledge, create a pledge, learn how to continue the dream after the workshop with local resources, and receive a certificate for completing the workshop. Students will vote on best final projects reflecting on achieving the dream through nonviolence. This program is part of the Postcards from Katrina’s Plant Hope initiative to reduce youth violence. Given the spike in violence in DC and the Gulf region, MLK Day is a fitting opportunity for each of us to reflect on ways to be compassionate, build character, and appreciate our shared human values to build one community for all.

Official Website: http://www.postcardsfromkatrina.com