MLK ESSAY CONTEST
2nd Place
by Otto Bucholtz 9th Grade , Booker High School Subject Prompt # 2
3rd Place
by Zachary Campbell 9th Grade , Booker High School Subject Prompt # 1
Thoughts are what drive humanity . Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . thought that mankind should be equal , and I think today everyone could agree that was right . That ’ s how things should be . But people can only come to that consensus now because they can think , not just think regularly , but critically , to have the ability to analyze the situation and find their own opinion and recognize others , and to have the ability to fight for their opinion using persuasion and fine eloquence . And I believe that Dr . Martin Luther King Jr thought this as well when he said , “ The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically .” However , how exactly can we come to analyze and perceive the reality before us in a critical way ? How are we and new generations to learn to find our morals and fight for them ? The answer to this relies on the education given to the children of America .
Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . stated in his “ keep moving from this mountain ” speech that one aspect this country needs to let go of is a system of belief that changes with the current concept at hand . If we were to start fostering critical thinking within students through schools this would no longer be an issue , students would be able to critically think and form their own morals strong enough not to be shifted by a single statement . If this were implemented arguments would start having stronger bases , almost entirely removing the concept of a pointless argument . All this shows how much we need the schools of America to teach children these skills , teach them to think critically and to consider the other options and thoughts of others .
Though modern education does make attempts to foster critical thinking , its attempts are limited . Within higher level schools like colleges and universities , there are special classes related to critical thinking , but between elementary and high school there ’ s a severe lack of these classes . This is a serious problem because , according to the National institute of health , ages six to ten are vital years for learning basic skills . If the primary school system could teach critical thinking skills to children , then by the time they ’ re in high school the mass of students in America would be able to think critically .
Dr . Martin Luther King Junior once said , “ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools .” This quote shows how unity and equality are vital to the success of our nation . As these fundamental principles of our society keep us together and allow us to function as a nation .
Dr . King is famous for many quotes . But I believe this quote best represents him , and the civil rights movement as a whole . Because if we never learn to live together as equals , to respect one another regardless of our differences . Then we will not be able to advance as a society , much less make progress towards bettering the society we live in . Dr . King in this qu ote is not just making a statement , but a prediction . This quote applies to more than just racial prejudice , but all kinds . King may have done great work towards making African Americans be treated as equals across America and the disestablishment of several racist laws . However , it seems we have just swapped one group for another . If we do not break this cycle and learn to live as brothers as MLK says in his quote , it will be detrimental .
When Dr . King said , “ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools ,” on March 22 , 1964 , in St . Louis , he was speaking to a crowd that day . I don ’ t think the crowd had quite understood the strength these words have . It is a testament to mankind ’ s stubbornness , and a dire omen of our future . For this quote shows how we can only truly live together peacefully in a society , if we set aside our differences .
If we learn to treat all as equal , then we can thrive . If not , then we will have a society in turmoil . Dr . Matin Luther King Junior was a very influential man . His quotes should be followed and studied as they are being across the nation , and in some instances around the world . His quotes often reflect the world around us or give us great advice for how to carry out our beliefs . This quote is a grim reflection of our world . We need to take action , and MLK saw that . �
Another part of critical thinking is arguments , but more importantly the inspiration that can grow from them . As stated previously , if more arguments are based on solid moral structure and beliefs , it could be a major benefit to society . Take even Dr . MLK for example , if not for his and thousands of others civil disobedience and protests , which were arguments based off moral beliefs of equality and justice , Americas racial tolerance may not be where it is today . Thoughts are what drive humanity . If modern education would teach new generations this new level of morals and critical thinking , we could continue to build off Dr . MLK ’ s dreams and reach for a brighter future . �
THE DOCKET - FEBRUARY 2025 | 43