Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a champion of First Amendment rights for all citizens. His speeches, like “I Have a Dream,” and his peaceful marches emphasized that our rights belong to all American citizens. Dr. King’s commitment to protecting our freedom remains a critical goal in the world today.
It is apparent that the voices of our youngest citizens are becoming more and more important in the world today. Think about Greta Thunberg and her campaign to save the earth. Think about the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and their campaign for gun control. The book The Youngest Marcher is the true story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a nine-year old who played a role in the Civil Rights Movement.
(Historical note: The Youngest Marcher takes place during the time in our country of segregation. Segregation was the practice of requiring separate housing, education, and other services for people of color.)
After you read/listen to The Youngest Marcher, think about the following questions:
1. What did Audrey want? Did she want to eat ice cream inside a restaurant with a counter? Did she want to sit downstairs at the movie theatre? Did she want to have new books in school? Do you think these were reasonable requests? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think Dr. King told the people at the church to, “Fill the jails. Pack cells up so tight that police will have to quit arresting people for demanding more rights”?
3. Why did Audrey think, “Protestors have to look nice”?
4. Do you think Audrey was a leader? A hero? Or both a leader and a hero?
5. Who do you think are leaders in these challenging times? Who would you describe as heroes?
6. Make a list of 5 characteristics that you think describe someone who is a leader. Then go back to your list and circle the words that describe how you are a leader. Be prepared to share.