KENTWOOD, Mich. — There are many events across West Michigan starting next week to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through programs, activities and discussions held at different library locations.
Author Dr. Randal Jelks, PhD, a Grand Rapids native, wrote a new book ‘Letters to Martin’ where he wanted to put a creative edge to his storytelling of King.
Jelks has written four books and said he wanted to write about King to educate the new generation of people who were not here to witness the transformation he made.
“Dr. King himself wouldn't want to be honored, he would want all of the people who participated in the movement to be honored,” Jelks said.
Jelks said through literature, readers can develop their own thoughts and ideas about what they are reading. He said he credits that unique aspect of reading for his book where he writes to King, but knows he won’t get a response.
“Literature allows us to get a perspective on ourselves as well so that's what I think great literature does,” Jelks said. That's why I chose the form of a letter to write these narratives in.”
On Monday, a weeklong celebration with powerful reflections supporting King’s legacy will take place at the Kent District libraries, including a discussion where Jelks will narrate and autograph sold copies of his new book.
The library’s volunteer coordinator, Deb Schultz, hopes next week’s programs provide people with more knowledge of King's legacy.
“Kent District Libraries has a purpose that we exist to further all people. We are hoping to tie in that concept with our program series that honors Martin Luther King,” Schultz said.
Jelks said one of his motivations for writing the book was to inform younger generations of King’s famous letter he wrote while wrongfully incarcerated.
“What I wanted to do with this book was to remember Dr. King's most famous statement about his purpose is the letter to Birmingham from the Birmingham jail in 1963, when he was incarcerated unjustly in Birmingham for the protests in Birmingham,” Jelks said.
Jelks said even though he wrote and got a response from King, he was still motivated to write the book this way.
“I would write this book as a way of beginning a conversation with sort of Dr. King, even though I won't get any letters back. If I do, I’ll be shocked,” Jelks said.
Jelks will host Meditations on Democracy in Black America on Monday, Jan. 5 at the Kentwood-Richard L. Root Branch Library at 12 p.m.
His new book, ‘Letter to Martin’ will be on sale for $15. You can visit his website to learn more about him or to purchase one of his books.
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