“There’s no shortage of resources for people to take advantage of,” says Anne O’Connor, founder of Bay Bridge. “It's a matter of people seeking them out and making a commitment to do at least one thing for the day.”
Anne is talking about the activities and events The North Shore Coalition is putting on for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Anne’s group, Bay Bridge is part of that coalition. She says the events are not just for MLK Day but go well into the month of January.
“We've got dozens of events, ranging from Reggie Jackson coming to present as part of a speaker series,” Anne said. "The interfaith service has representation from a lot of different faith groups, from Sikhs, Bahais, Episcopalians, Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, Unitarians and people from the Jewish community. That's a nice, thoughtful way to honor the legacy of Dr. King as his faith was very important to him and a big factor behind his work.”
The coalition started about a year ago to recognize ways people can learn and serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year.
There will be readings of books that discuss racism, including " Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent," by Isabel Wilkerson.
“Caste” explains that alongside race there is an invisible notion of human hierarchy that affects America. Other book reads include Ibram X. Kendi’s “Stamped From the Beginning." There's also a film screening of “Remembering Bronzeville." The film looks at how the Bronzeville neighborhood was a hub of life for Black people in Milwaukee before the 1950s.
Anne says the coalition wants to help people get started on pursuing race and social justice. “A lot of that is unpacking the history,” she says. “Why does Milwaukee look the way it does? Why does the North Shore look like it does?”
The North Shore Coalition has also put on family-friendly activities that kids can enjoy too. Because of the pandemic, you guessed it, book readings, film screenings and panel discussions will be held on Zoom.
If you want to take part go to mlknsmke.com.