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Should we celebrate MLK Day? Should he not have been eligible as he was neither a President or a veteran as the article notes, or does MLK Day highlight the impact that private citizen can have in shaping the face of our country? What about our school systems? I recall being out not for MLK Day, but instead a “teacher resource day.” I’ve even heard people claim to celbrate Robert E. Lee day instead. If anyone thinks that racism doesn’t still exist just ask 100 people about MLK Day. What are your thoughts?
-CMac
I think that we should always celebrate King’s holiday. Not as a way to honor a great man. But to keep his dream alive. In this past year, I have never been so reminded about how much racism still exist. So until the dream is accomplished, I think the day needs to stand as a reminder that we haven’t made it. And we should still continue to celebrate after we reach that day. “Those that don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”
IMO had he not been assinated Dr. King would have been a verteran of one of the bloodiest battles for equality and civil liberty in the history of the US, the Civil Rights movement. That being said I think that ‘Federalizing’ MLK day should be more of a celebration for all those who fell for the movement (both militant and passives) as opposed to a holiday for one of it’s more iconic leaders. The reality of it is we’ll never reach the day that King Dreamed about, at least not in our lifetimes, but, ignorance aside, this holiday represents something that is far too important not to be reconized and celebrated.
Speak for yourself sir, I plan to live for a very very long time!
Seriously, your point is well taken. As long as there is evil or even ignorance, racism will exist just as rape, murder, greed, etc. will still exist. The goal is not to irradicate these things, b/c it is not possible in a society filled with freedom of thought. The goal is to make it the exception, not the norm, and in that respect I think we’ve come a very long way…and still have a long way to go.
Interesting and great post…
I was watching the town hall that Chris Matthews held with Tom Joyner on the campus on Texas Southern University (It aired on MSNBC). One thing that kept coming up was the idea of a post-racial America and how this has possibly been (or will be) achieved b/c of Obama’s election.
Personally, I don’t feel we are in a post-racial society. I don’t believe in a post-racial society. We should not only be aware of, but we should appreciate each other’s differences. That’s what makes America great. Furthermore, the observance of the MLK holiday reminds us that, although we have made great strides, there is always room for improvement. As long as evil exists in this world, so will racism. Therefore, it is important to remember the man who was the figurehead and spokesman of a movement that makes it possible for us to enjoy, without persecution, coffee with white friends; a game at sports bar with a mixed crowd of friends; a black president; female CEO’s; and so on…