In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we take a deep look at Our Friend, Martin (1999), the powerful animated film that introduces young audiences to the life, leadership, and moral courage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The film follows two middle school friends who are magically transported through time, meeting Dr. King at pivotal moments in his life. By blending animation with real historical events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, Our Friend, Martin makes civil rights history accessible, personal, and deeply human.

We discuss why this film still matters today, how it communicates the principles of nonviolence, equality, and compassion, and why its message extends far beyond the classroom. Featuring an extraordinary voice cast including Ed Asner, Angela Bassett, LeVar Burton, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Samuel L. Jackson, James Earl Jones, Oprah Winfrey, and Dexter King as the voice of his father, the film stands as a rare and thoughtful piece of historical storytelling.

This episode explores the lasting lessons of Dr. King’s legacy and reminds us that progress is not just something we study from the past, but something we carry forward through our own actions every day.

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