Dr. King believed in Democracy, Justice, Love, and Hope, and always told people to solve their problems peacefully and with love for each other. Read the following stories, and decide what you would do in these situations.
Situation 1: In Class
Sally was a cheerleader for her elementary school basketball team. One day there was a basketball game, so Sally and the other cheerleaders wore their uniforms to school.
At history class, Sally had trouble answering one of Mr. Smith’s questions. Mr. Smith looked at her uniform, and said, “Well, Sally, if you don’t know the answer, why don’t you do a little cheer right here for all of us!” Sally was embarrassed and her face got very red. Some of the other students laughed.
“Why does he always treat me like I’m stupid just because I’m a cheerleader?” Sally thought. She wanted to say something to Mr. Smith, but she was afraid he would just give her bad grades.
If you were Sally, what would you do? What would Dr. King do?
Situation 2: Cans on the Street
One day Bill was sitting in the back seat of his family car on the way home from soccer practice. Suddenly, a loud “bang” on the window got his attention. Someone had thrown a soda can right into the street, and it hit against his car window. That made Bill look around, and he noticed that there was trash all over the street.
He asked his dad, “why is there trash all over the road? Is anyone going to clean it up?”
His dad replied, “well, that’s the street sweeper’s job. I’m sure somebody will notice and tell them to clean it up.”
Bill thought about the park where he played soccer, and imagined it covered with cans and bottles. He agreed with his dad and thought that it wasn’t fair that he should clean it up when it was the street sweeper’s job, but he was still worried about it.
If you were Bill, what would you do? What would Dr. King do?
