Milwaukee students write paths to peace in 2022 MLK Essay Contest
- Grades 4-5
- Grade 6
- Grades 7-8
- Grades 9-10
- Grades 11-12
In yet another year marked by loss, disease and violence, Milwaukee’s youth picked up their pens to share their hope for change and peace in their city, and their ideas for the future.
This year marks the 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay contest, which began in 1981 as a way to celebrate, remember and continue King’s legacy. The essay contest is sponsored by the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. (Journal Sentinel reporter Devi Shastri was the final round judge for the grade 9 and 10 competition.)
This year’s theme is “Working Toward a World of Peace,” and is inspired by King’s 1966 essay titled “Nonviolence: The Only Road to Freedom.”
“There is no easy way to create a world where men and women can live together, where each has his own job and home and where all children receive as much education as their minds can absorb … It will be done by rejecting racism, materialism and violence … and especially by working toward a world of brotherhood, cooperation and peace,” King wrote.
Peace is like an unsolved puzzle, wrote fifth grader Mahogany Hill, of Samuel Clemens Elementary, who won first place in her grade category. We each hold the missing pieces ― of peace, love and collaboration ― that are needed to complete the image, Hill explained.
“When we assemble our pieces, we will be closer to having the peace that Dr. King wanted for us all,” Hill wrote. “We didn’t come this far, to only come this far! Dr. King reminds us that completing our puzzle will not be easy, but he tells us to pick up our pieces with courage. Every piece, big and small, is needed. Our puzzle for world peace is waiting for your piece!”
This year’s honorees wrote of many issues that affect their communities, including reckless driving, gun violence, racism and bullying on social media. They also presented their thoughts for what must change, and pledged to do their part to help their community.
“Throughout Milwaukee’s history, peace has been nebulous. Racism and violence have increased, making overall crime skyrocket, which puts up a line of segregation: an enemy of King’s dream. In Milwaukee, one cannot turn the news on without hearing about someone that was shot or killed,” wrote Riverside University High School senior Darius Solomon, who took second in his grade category. “With all that is happening in the city, there is no surprise that some believe peace is a non-obtainable phenomenon.”
“Despite the disorder, the light of peace is displayed by those who contribute to their community,” he wrote. “Their efforts are recognized and commended by the Milwaukeean people. These are the people who have hope — people who change the lives of others for a better city — for better peace.”
Read all of the first, second and third place winners’ essays here.
Jump to: Grades 2-3 | Grades 4-5 | Grade 6 | Grades 7-8 | Grades 9-10 | Grades 11-12
Grades 2-3
First place: Khyei Thang, third grade, Kluge Elementary
Martin Luther King Jr. had a vision of people living in a world of peace. To me, a world of peace has kindness and people respecting each other. There would be no more violence, and people would get along with everyone. In a world of peace people would speak kindly to each other and try to help each other. In a peaceful world there is teamwork, trustworthiness and acceptance.
Dr. King said, “It is always the right time to do what is right.” Working toward a world of peace is the right thing to do for all of us. It starts with you and me, and it needs to start right now. What does a world of peace look like to you?
Second place: Lizmarie Soto, third grade, Kluge Elementary
I want a world peace because I want everyone to be safe. I agree with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that you can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream. This means you can kill a person, but you can’t kill their dream. This relates to world peace because even though Dr. King died fighting for peace and justice for everyone, people are still dreaming and fighting for world peace like me.
I believe to have peace we have to stop people from being abused. People are hurting others in many ways like being violent towards them like assaults, school invasions, shootings, and war.
To have peace, I will write a letter to the presidents of the world to help stop abuse,…
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