GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – Scholars at Coit Creative Arts Academy had the opportunity to engage in a virtual conversation with civil rights leader and social justice advocate Rev. Al Sharpton.
Scholar Eric Henriques, who recently met Rev. Sharpton on a trip to New York City, started off the conversation by asking him about Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I used to watch Martin Luther King on the news, he was leading marches in the south,” Rev. Sharpton recalled. “He came to Brooklyn, where I grew up, twice. I got to see him. I think the dominant philosophy in my life of nonviolent protest and seeking redress, came on, based on the philosophy of Martin Luther King.”
Martin Gando, a teacher at Coit Creative Arts Academy, asked Rev. Sharpton for his advice on becoming an activist.
“One thing I learned, and I would advise you all, is if you're going to be an activist, be active on things that matter to you,” Rev. Sharpton said. “Be prepared that you're going to have people that don't agree or don't see what you're doing as important. That's why it's got to be important to you.”
Rev. Sharpton closed by sharing that you are never too young to have an impact.
“My advice is to find out early in life what you really have a passion to do and a passion to be, and don't let anyone tell you you're too young to dream.”
