CINCINNATI — Monday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and this year, younger generations are trying to carry on his legacy through education and a museum.
Asia Harris remembers almost every detail.
“When I was 12 years old, I actually got to go into this building when it was on its original land,” said Harris.
She said her grandma used to bring historic places often as a kid.
“This was a dirt floor. The windows and everything were not as intact as they are now,” said Harris.
It’s now an exhibit at the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati that shows the shed where slaves were once chained and forced to live in.
“As a kid, I didn’t really understand exactly what the building was. I just knew that what they were explaining to me was terrible,” said Harris.
That’s what she said sparked her passion for Black history and as she learned more, she started to get more involved.
“Marching, nonviolent protest. Boycott is my favorite just because it makes a big impact,” said Harris.
It’s the same thing that happened from the days of Martin Luther King Jr. leading the civil rights movement to the Black Lives Matter movement.
“I look at it not necessarily of differences but of diversity, it’s a diversity of thought and also a diversity of approach for a common goal,” said Chris Miller, director of Education and Community Engagement at the Freedom Center.
He said in order to keep progressing, everyone needs to recognize the problems surrounding racism and be a part of the solution.
“The times we say, well, that’s not in my neighborhood, that’s not in my community. Best believe that it will impact you at some point in time. So this is your fight, this is your journey. It’s up to you to find your place in the fight, find what you’re passionate about,” said Miller.
It’s the passion that led Harris to the Freedom Center.
She’s now the manager of Youth Programs at the Freedom Center. She’s been helping to plan youth activities and a march on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to keep the legacy of change going.
“Fifteen years ago when my grandmother was bringing me, I didn’t think or imagine I would be in the role now, but I hope I can be the leader and resource for children to have some excitement to want to come here,” said Harris.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is offering free admission all day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
