CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Celebrations happened all across the Lowcountry Monday as community members paused to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The International African American Museum is among those who honored King's commitment to servitude by offering free admission on Monday.
Visitors had the chance to enjoy local vendors, play different games and activities, try out food trucks, and even participate in various scavenger hunts throughout the museum.
The museum's 'A Day of Service' began after the 53rd annual MLK Day Parade in downtown Charleston. The event was in collaboration with the YWCA Greater Charleston and Charleston Promise Neighborhood.
Museum historian Brandon Reid said Monday's programming was designed to engage visitors and not only highlight Dr. King's impact on American history but also emphasize the importance of community involvement and the continued pursuit of justice.
"Just a lot of different ways to engage not only with our content but again, with these greater ideas of service, of civic-mindedness, of being a very intentional and purposeful person within your community to make sure that we're coming out to be able to celebrate and honor Dr. King's legacy," Reid said.
He said he hopes visitors walked away from the celebration understanding that social change and justice are ongoing journeys, and the decisions made by activists like Dr. King paved the way towards equal rights for all, but the work isn't finished yet.
"The journey does not end here. It's the choice that we have to make every day. And so, beyond your visit to the IAAM, beyond you thinking about Dr. King and his legacy, this is something that we have to keep in mind moving forward. The celebration, the remembrance, the reflection does not end on MLK Day. It's something that we have to keep moving forward, that we grapple with every day, and that places like the IAAM and other cultural institutions are here to help find ways to grapple with those legacies, to have those conversations that some might consider difficult but are always necessary," Reid said.
He said it can be easy to elevate figures like Dr. King, but stresses that he was a person who made intentional and purposeful decisions by prioritizing the movement over himself and dedicating his life to helping others, and you have the capability to do the same.
We look at the complex stories of history, but most importantly, we emphasize that these were human beings. Oftentimes, it's very easy for individuals to get lost in the legacy. I think of these individuals as larger than life, but these were human beings who made intentional decisions to put the movement before themselves to make sure that they were doing everything they could to help their fellow men," Reid said.
He said they'll be celebrating Black History Month next. Reid said the museum will offer special programming throughout February and will have webinars every Saturday throughout the month to really be able to look at and understand African-American history and American history in a different light.