Things to Know About Martin Luther King Parade in Downtown Houston

Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most well-known Civil Rights Movement heroes. In Houston, the civil rights movement spurred a 1960 initiative by Texas Southern University students to desegregate lunch counters.

Since then, Houstonians have honored King by celebrating and serving the community. MLK Day is a day to reflect on King’s anti-racism work and the plight of racial justice issues presently, whether you’re celebrating with friends and family at one of the two MLK parades in Houston or volunteering.

In this guide, we’ll go over some of the highlights of the Martin Luther King Parade in Downtown Houston. So, stay tuned as we proceed.

About the Parade

The Martin Luther King Parade in Downtown Houston is typically a spectacular event! Crowds came to Downtown Houston on Monday, January 17th, to witness the 44th annual Original Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. This Houston, TX event began at 10 a.m. near Smith and Lamar Streets intersection and ended at 12:30 p.m. The theme for this year was “Social Inclusion: The People’s Pillars.”

Before taking part in the MLK Parade Houston 2022 Route or lining up downtown to watch, outgoing Mayor Sylvester Turner advised spectators to put on masks and get tested for COViD-19. More than 300 performance and community groups from across the country participated in the parade. 

They included the dance and cheer teams, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, primary and secondary school marching bands, bright floats, and corporate and civic organizations.

ATT, Radio One, and Allegiance Bank sponsored this year’s parade. Broadcast live feeds of the two parade events were available, allowing millions of people across the country to watch and participate via television and social media.

Why Are There Two Parades?

Two MLK Day parades have taken place in Houston since 1995. Ovide Duncantell founded the original Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in 1978, and Charles Stamp founded the second, known as the MLK Grande Parade, in 1995. After going virtual in 2019, both events returned this year.

Given that the number of attendees exceeds what would be both pleasant and safe to watch the march, having two parades appears logistical. The duality also suggests a power struggle, as both processions vie to be the day’s most popular.

The MLK Grande Parade and the Black Heritage Society Houston applied for parade licenses in 2007. However, the Houston city council authorizes only one daily procession under normal circumstances. Permits are on a “first-come, first-served” basis, but both parties applied simultaneously. Both parties started working on a framework for bringing the parades in Houston together. In 2018, 

In the words of Mayor Turner, “A house divided against itself cannot survive.” Both parades were held, accepted, and celebrated in January, which shows that this year’s theme tagged “social inclusion as pillars of the people” was granted in Martin Luther King Jr.’s patriotic celebration.

Five Ways to Celebrate MLK Day in Houston

1. Participate in the “March”

Martin Luther King Jr. led a massive protest made of 250,000 people during the 1963 March on Washington, all calling for the same thing: Black Americans’ civil and economic rights. King gave his legendary “I Have A Dream” speech in front of the multitudes, bolstering predominant support for the civil rights movement and cementing the day in history. 

Due to his patriotic character, a march is held in his honor every year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Meanwhile, the Martin Luther King Parade 2022 was epic, with multitudes turning up for the March contest. If you intend to know how it went, the link https://realizedproperties.com/martin-luther-king-day-parade-in-houston/ provides more info. 

2. Watch His “I Have a Dream” Speech, Which Made History

You may have read about his “I Have A Dream” speech in history books, but nothing compares to witnessing the man himself deliver his stirring words in front of 250,000 people near the Lincoln Memorial. After all, Martin Luther King Jr. isn’t considered one of America’s finest orators for nothing!

3. Learn Interesting Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished a lot in his short life, in case you didn’t know. King was a Baptist minister, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate (at the time, the youngest award-winner at age 35), a father of four, a civil rights leader, and a Boston University doctoral degree holder.

You might think that as one of the most well-known social rights activists on the planet, there isn’t much more to learn about King and his life’s work, but you’d be surprised how much more there is to know about one of the World’s most influential persons.

4. Create a Craft That Sparks Important Discussions

Martin Luther King Jr. gave us the courage to dream. His timeless wisdom is still relevant today, allowing us to envision a better, more inclusive world. Consider King’s message of peace and equality while daydreaming about a better future.

Write your dreams down and work on them. You’re good to go as long as you are creative with whatever you implement.

5. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and Take a Virtual Tour

Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated outside the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, sending shockwaves across the country and worldwide. The National Civil Rights Museum, which recounts a timeline of significant events in the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr.’s meaningful involvement, is now housed in the motel.

You can now take a virtual tour of the museum to see exhibits spanning five centuries, from slavery to the Montgomery bus boycott, Freedom Riders to Black Power.

Final Words

That’s a wrap on the highlights of the Martin Luther King Parade in Downtown Houston.  Martin Luther King Jr. had a significant dream and impacted the world. He thought everyone should receive equal treatment, regardless of skin color. His vision motivated and organized millions of people to right historical wrongs.

Ultimately, Dr. King’s dream is one that we keep alive every year as we commemorate the civil rights leader’s life and legacy.

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