Winning Essay In Livingston Dems Martin Luther King Jr. Contest

Griffin Peltier has been declared the winner of the Livingston Dems’ Martin Luther King Jr. essay/video/art contest. He has received a check for $300 from Livingston Dems.

Griffin is a senior at Pinckney High School.

Our congratulations to Griffin!

His essay follows:

The Legacy of Dr. King’s Words in Today’s World

As 2026 begins, we enter the year with a country permeated by political violence, hate-filled rhetoric, and a political system where power from the people feels often overlooked. We close out a year where corruption is accepted, ignorance is favored, and where political opponents have been attacked and assassinated, with each drop of blood eroding democracy. In fact, the Pew Research Center recently found that seventy-two percent of Americans no longer feel that America is a “good example of democracy”. At a time like this, it can be exhausting to continue having hope of witnessing our country unite, rather than divide itself; yet, if we look to Dr. King’s words, we recognize the importance of using our voices to launch the change we want to see in the world. To prevent the erasure of democracy and the steps taken to ensure equality, we must speak out now. 

Collective action begins with the individuals. Any meaningful movement towards reclaiming democratic ideals must begin with the people. At a time where forty-nine percent of Americans are not confident change to the system can occur, it sounds daunting to place the burden on the people; however, grand gestures are not needed. Perhaps it is a boycott of a brand that funds the oppressive administration. Or a call to a local legislator outlining your dissent to a particular bill. But most importantly, it begins with connecting to others, with building a bridge between sides. Dr. King, who believed in the power of peaceful communication across divisions, would agree.

We can see this tenet exemplified in the No Kings protests that drew millions of people in opposition to President Trump’s policies, or in the success of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s campaign fueled by grassroot contributions, volunteer campaigns, and an empathetic desire to reach constituents. We do not need to look to the national scale to see Dr. King’s messages of collective, unifying action playing out — it is also happening in our own county.

 Livingston is a county where you know everyone at the grocery store and cars stop at intersections to catch up on the local gossip. In recent years, however, this tight-knit feeling has felt claustrophobic as the community has been enveloped in national divisions over politics. 

My government teacher has always been someone I can find solace in — her most impactful lessons ranging from dealing with teen drama to domestic policy in Nigeria. We bonded over our introverted traits and love of Scooby-Doo, and she became more than a teacher, but also a mentor and friend. 

The day after the 2024 Election, I came to school feeling a flurry of emotions. Fatigue from serving as a poll worker and greeting countless voters the night before. Shock and anxiety at the results. Entering class, I was greeted with the classroom screen blaringly playing the President-elect’s acceptance speech and my teacher’s assurances that the next four years ‘wouldn’t be that bad’ — her content demeanor contrasting with the turbulence I felt. 

The only other student in the class — similar-minded to me and quieter — grew visibly distraught with the teacher’s comments and the images on the screen. Speaking on behalf of my friend and my own feelings, I asked the teacher if she could turn off the screen. She did, but asked me what I thought about the results of the election. I told her, fearing what would happen.  Yet, instead of encountering hostility, I had opened up a pathway to constructive dialogue. We found common ground and respectfully listened as we shared our conflicting perspectives. I worried over our differences, but those differences strengthened the trust I had in my teacher. My teacher presented me with an invaluable opportunity to reexamine the personal beliefs that I had held as fact. My positions became more nuanced and informed as I could hold extensive discussions with my teacher, ranging from topic to topic, each belief evolving with the influence of new ideas and diverse viewpoints. 

Moving forward, we can translate these ideas into actionable reality — to create environments where people can share their opinions and identities without fear of judgment. My government teacher’s lesson influences my push to humanize the problems wielded as dividers and explore the nuances of the issues that affect us, much like Dr. King did.

Granted, conversations like this may not always happen. In today’s society, hypercharged by political conflict and aggression, it is scary to confront the issues we see as headlines and buzzwords in the morning news; yet, that is exactly the reason why we should pursue such action.

So, as we recognize the accomplishments of Dr. King, let us keep his legacy alive by pursuing action through peaceful means and by connecting with one another. It will be challenging, but let us be guided by our dreams and hope for a nation where differences are celebrated, not looked down upon or used as the foundation for conflict. Let us find our path to a more unified nation by wielding our power as the people. Let us fill our society with empathy, kindness, and most importantly, a willingness to understand.