Our MLK Day family bus ride tradition began unintentionally in 2010 while we were living in Indianapolis, IN. My husband had planned a father/son outing to watch the iconic Harlem Globetrotters in downtown Indianapolis. To avoid fighting traffic
and parking, my husband and son hopped on the city bus to the venue. The date of the event happened to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the federal holiday honoring the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
Given the significance of the date, my husband talked to our then 3-year-old son about Dr. King’s life and legacy during the bus ride. In 2012, the Globetrotters returned to Indianapolis again on MLK Day. This time around my husband and son were joined by our then 2-year-old daughter. Once again, my husband gave the kids a brief history lesson about Dr. King and read a few paragraphs from his “I Have a Dream ” speech. A tradition was born.
For the past 14 years, our family has held on to this tradition of riding on some form of public transportation together on MLK Day. Our tradition also includes watching, and sometimes participating in, the local MLK Day parade. We also participate in a community service project. This tradition has evolved through the years, but what remains constant is that we are creating connections with our history, with one another and with our community. To me, that is the beauty of family traditions. They reflect what is important and meaningful to your family.
Some years we ride on a bus. In recent years, it has been on the OKC streetcar. Most
years we have been able to participate all together. Some years we have not. I missed 2012 as our youngest daughter’s due date was quickly approaching. In 2014, my husband had already moved ahead of us to Oklahoma City to begin his new job. There have been a couple of years when illness (or Covid exposure) kept a parent and kid or two at home. However, no matter the circumstances, through the power of technology, we have always been able to participate through video call.
We carry on this tradition to honor Dr. King and the impact the Montgomery Bus Boycott had on the Civil Rights Movement. We also do it to honor Rosa Parks (and Claudette Colvin) in her stance against segregation. During our time on public transit, we have read books and articles about the movement, listened to and
watched some of his speeches and had many discussions. One of the most memorable times for me was when an elderly gentleman seated nearby observed our family’s discussion and joined in. Through the years we have talked about other aspects of the Civil Rights Movement, including the role Dr. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, played in continuing the movement, the Little Rock Nine and John F. Kennedy’s role in the movement and his relationship with King.
As the years have passed, our kids have taken a more active role in directing
conversation and sharing perspectives. As they mature, they are asking more in-depth questions and thinking more critically about the Civil Rights Movement and where our nation currently stands. Our annual tradition has become something they look forward to each year. It is a tradition my husband and I hope they will continue with their own families or friends in the future.
Dr. Martin Luther King Day is on Jan. 15 this year. Your family can start (or continue) a tradition of honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy through one or more of 
these local programs and events:
- The OKC MLK Alliance hosts an entire weekend of community events culminating in the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade (which, due to anticipated inclement weather, has been postponed to Saturday, Jan. 27.) Fun fact: the OKC parade is reportedly the third-largest MLK Parade in the United States! Parade route and other programming information can be found here.
- A variety of family-friendly activities and programming will take place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Myriad Gardens (also postponed to Saturday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.)
- The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma has doubled its volunteer shifts for Jan. 15. Your family can honor Dr. King’s legacy by serving your community on this day of service.
- The Norman Philharmonic presents: Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church (419 S University Blvd Norman, OK) beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. Ticket cost is $18 for adults and $9 for students/kids.
- Especially with inclement weather predicted for the weekend, check out MetroFamily’s at-home ideas to learn as a family at the top of this page.
Christina Mushi-Brunt is a former professor turned freelance writer and public health research consultant. Christina, her husband and their three kids reside in Moore, where she is active in the education community.
