Thursday is the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Local students celebrated his legacy at a tribute in downtown Buffalo’s Central Library Thursday, where they heard from some of the area’s most influential leaders.
At a time when civil rights have come back to the forefront of public attention, Buffalo Urban League President Brenda McDuffie says students have an obligation to help continue King’s work.
“We still do not have equality and it’s all about responsibilities to do something about that. And so it is very important that they understand that the civil rights struggle and the struggle for equality continues on,” said McDuffie.
McDuffie told students from Enterprise Charter School and Bennett Park Montessori that their parents have the choice to send them to the schools they attend because of the sacrifices made by King. She says that is why learning about him is so important.
“This generation has to pick up the torch, and the only way they’re going to be able to do that is if they have some knowledge of what has happened before them,” McDuffie said.
McDuffie urged students to tell their family and friends about all the people who have died for causes like King did. She says they have a responsibility to dream bigger and achieve better.
