Embracing the Dream: Celebrating Martin Luther King's Legacy in America Today

On Jan. 17, 2011, Not In Our Town will honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy by doing what we do best: Sharing the real-life stories of people who are applying Dr. King’s principles today.

Though the political landscape has changed since the Civil Rights era, his dream that this country would fulfill its promise of equality has yet to become reality. But Dr. King’s work showed this country that change is possible, and the communities in Embracing the Dream: Lessons from the Not In Our Town Movement are living proof that change is happening—town by town, school by school.

Below you will find the four individual films included in this collection. Each film is preceded by individual perspectives on Martin Luther King Jr. legacy today. Below, you may also download the Embracing the Dream discussion guide, which is useful to spark discussion in your classroom, boardroom or lunchroom. We are so pleased that schools, churches and corporations will be incorporating these stories into their holiday lesson plans and activities.

SEE HOW OTHERS ARE USING THESE FILMS.

1. Embracing Differences (Patchogue, N.Y., 2010)

After seven high school students assaulted and killed Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero in Patchogue, N.Y., local educators created a safe environment where students could express their feelings about the tragedy, and share their ideas about diversity, immigration, inclusion and respect (3:55).

2. After Cross Burning, a Town Marches Together (Anderson, CA, 2004)

When an African-American resident of the small Northern California town of Anderson woke one winter morning to an 8-foot-tall burning cross on her lawn, neighbors quickly organized in support of her and her young family (5:33).

3. Lowell High School Students Dance Away Hate (San Francisco, CA, 2010)

When Fred Phelps’ hate group pickets at Lowell High School in San Francisco, students rallied to show their love for their diverse, inclusive community (3:07).

4. Students Teach Students to Stand Up to Bullying (Cleveland, OH, 2009)

At Shaw High School in East Cleveland, Ohio, high school students mentor younger students in how to be an upstander, not a bystander, when faced with bullying and intolerant acts (5:47).

Our education partners at Facing History and Ourselves, are also commemorating Dr. King this month and have just posted wonderful educator resources on nonviolent social change. Information on these educational films can be found here.

If you'd like a hard copy of the Embracing the Dream short film collection DVD for your MLK holiday activities, you may purchase one below.