The Story

To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Chevrolet has a social media campaign, the MLK Reading Project.  People can read and record Dr. King's words in their own voice.  The project also includes videos of people saying Dr. King's words.   

Video source.

Discussion Starters

• Guess what percentage of U.S. companies close on MLK Day.  (Hint: The percentage has been about the same for the past five years.)
• What are the arguments for and against celebrating by closing a company for the day?
• What are the downsides of Chevrolet's project?  Do you think the campaign was a good choice for the company?  Why or why not?

Assignment Ideas

• Contribute to the project: record yourself speaking Dr. King's words.
• The federal Office of Management and Budget reminds us that, as a holiday, MLK Day should be a "day on" of service rather than a "day off."  If you don't have to work or go to school on MLK Day, think about some way that you can serve your community.  Plan for next year if it is too late this year.  
• Imagine that you work for a company (or attend a college) that does not celebrate MLK Day by closing.  Write an email to the president of your company or college encouraging him  or her to join the organizations that observe the holiday.  What arguments would most convince the president?