Sixth, seventh, and eighth
grade students in Minneapolis are encouraged to enter the 2008 Martin
Luther King Essay Contest.
Here’s a question for young people out there, “Why does
discrimination still exist today?” The Minneapolis Commission
on Civil Rights wants to know.
Students are asked to
write or type an original, one- to three-page essay in English
on this year’s topic, using
proper spelling and grammar.
This Year’s Topic
The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified by the United
Nations in 1948. As far back as 1857 the Minnesota Constitution
prohibited discrimination. Minnesota Legislators passed the Fair
Employment Practices Act in 1955. Discrimination was outlawed nationally
by the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Through the years these laws have
been broadened and amended to give more protection. The Minnesota
Department of Human Rights commissions were established in 1967,
and in 1968 local human rights commissions were established throughout
the state.
Key
Question:
After
all of this, why do you think discrimination still exists
today?
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The Minneapolis Commission
on Civil Rights partners with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department,
the Mayor’s office
and the City Council to sponsor the annual contest, which is now
in its fourth year.
Essays must be received by Oct. 31. Each essay submitted should
include the student’s name, teacher’s name, grade,
and the name of the school.
Essays should be sent
to: Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, Attention: Mr. Martin
Doyle; 350 Fifth St. S., Room 239, Minneapolis, MN 55415.
For more info, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/civil-rights/commission/index.asp ![]()
