Today, people all over Boulder County join the nation in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The civil rights leader, who was assassinated in 1968, would have been 85 today.
His message of racial equality and social justice continue to reverberate today. The country has made major strides on civil rights. But issues including mass incarceration, wage inequality and voting rights continue to be major injustices, and continue to disporportionately impact people of color in America.
It’s worth noting that the demographics of Boulder County are changing rapidly. In 1990, the county was about 93 percent white. By 2013, more about 23 percent defined themselves as Latino, a person of color, or mixed-race. Yet only a tiny fraction of our leadership — elected officials, people who serve on school boards or civic commissions — is a person of color.
If you’d like to honor Martin Luther King Day today, here are a few opportunities:
- The 10th Annual MLK Celebration: A Decade of Celebration and Service is today in Lafayette. It is presented by the Lafayette Youth Advisory Committee. A march starts at noon at the northwest corner of West Baseline and North Public Road and concludes at LaMont Does Park. The celebration there, which goes until 3 p.m., will include bands, choirs and a poetry slam.
- “King: A Filmed Record…From Montgomery to Memphis” will be screened today at 1 p.m. at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut. The free film will be followed by a panel of community leaders to discuss the film, especially in the context of recent events.
- Honoring Dr. King through Action will be today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver Creek High School, 4901 Nelson Road, Longmont.
