BY ERIN YOON
Despite the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, several groups in Queens are holding virtual events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy in the coming week.
On Sunday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m, Queens College President Frank H. Wu will be holding a virtual event to celebrate and honor the life of Dr. King.
All individuals are welcome to register for the event, which will consist of highlights of Dr. King’s 1965 speech at Queens College, musical and spoken performances, an overview of the history of activism at the institution and an open conversation that will take place post-program.
Later that day, the Key Club of Benjamin N. Cardozo High School will host an online movie event, open to the public.
The group will be gathering on Kast to watch “Selma,” a film that depicts Dr. King’s key contributions to the racial justice movement in the south.
“Martin Luther King Jr. is a historic Civil Rights leader who fought against segregation and discrimination in America,” said Violet Palmer, the president of Cardozo’s Key Club. “As [rising] leaders of our community, it is important for us to learn more about the contributions Martin Luther King Jr. made to our society as well as understand systemic racism and injustice. Watching [“Selma”] can hopefully open up more discussions on the progress our country is making toward true equality.”
The movie event will be accessible at 7 p.m. in the club’s Kast room.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, falling this year on Jan. 18, is also recognized as a national day of service.
On Jan. 18, the Food Bank for New York City will host volunteers who can engage in an hourlong online service meeting hosted from 11 a.m. to noon.
The event will be held on Zoom, bringing people together to write letters of warmth and kindness to those struggling with food insecurity. The meeting can be accessed on the correct time and day here.
On the same day, the Sweet Treats Delight Bakery on Merrick Boulevard has an exciting opportunity planned for young people between the ages of 8 and 13.
The “‘I Have A Dream’ Cupcake Decorating Class” is a free event that encourages children to sketch their dreams on paper and decorate cupcakes to take home. The bakery said safety guidelines will be regarded in a serious manner; the bakery emphasizes a mask-mandatory rule and limited capacity. Registrations for the event, which will take place between 1 and 3 p.m., can be made at AllEvents.
For those who cannot make any of the events on Sunday or Monday, the Queens Public Library is offering many virtual discussion sessions in various time slots throughout the week and into Black History Month.
The library is hosting a series of meetings regarding black heritage and art in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. For the events, participants will be joining a curator to talk about African American culture and traditions.
Those who are interested can review the diverse range of times and dates offered for the event at the Queens Public Library website.
