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Fatoumata Coulibaly said she and her eight-year-old son particularly remembered the students who said they wanted to improve the community by stopping people from littering, because her children always ask her why people would put trash on the floor.
“They hate littering,” she said. “It’s really important to listen to our kids and see how they feel about what grown-ups do.”
The museum also celebrated the day with a performance from storyteller Karen “Queen Nur” Abdul-Malik, who entertained a crowd of children and adults with an adapted version of Aesop’s Fable “The Lion and the Mouse.” The storyteller also shared a story of childhood heartbreak from King’s childhood about how the father of a white friend insisted the boys no longer be allowed to play together.
Abdul-Malik said the fable presents to children the idea that there were times when others tried to make King feel small, but even as a child, he understood “there was something wrong with people who thought of differences and … bias and prejudice and racism. He felt it as a little boy, and in his mind, he said, ‘No, that’s not who I am.’”
Vanessa Randolph, who brought her three-year-old daughter to the museum for the first time, said she found the performance fun and engaging.
Nam Leduc, who was part of Randolph’s group, added that it was nice to see a newer “community-oriented” take on the fable.
Abdul-Malik said that’s what she hopes children will take away from the experience.
“I just wanted them to understand that connection — not only between how Martin thought, but how you would think as a little one, too. I want you to think that you’re mighty, mighty.”