MLK Day

Today I did not have to go to school because it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Not only did I have no classes, but I got to reflect on one of the greatest figures of the 20th Century.

First, I feel "White America" dumbs down this man with a few pictures and clips of his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (you are doing it right now, think about it). There is a common perception among White America that this is not their holiday as well. That this man did not also stand for them. Black communities have parades, while everyone else gets the day off to go shopping. He is a figure that all human beings should look upon when change must be made to the unjust.

I saw very little coverage of the holiday on the TV today. Even the History Channel devoted only 2 hours of programming to this man. They gave about 2 hours to Houdini, and another 2 hours to the Jonestown cult. I opted against drinking their Kool-Aid, and changed the channel. In fact, 1 of the hours of MLK coverage was a conspiracy doc. I don't buy a solo James Earl Ray, either. But that is hardly reasonable for half of the day's MLK documentaries.

Fact of the matter is, America was an atrocious place 40 years ago. A segment of society was not allowed to vote because of the color of their skin. They were 'subhuman' and not constitutionally protected. 40 years ago. Not only oppressed by some racist southerners in Alabama, but the U.S. government. The "representative" government that gave no constitutional rights to a race of people. While it took thousands to achieve change, it was the inspiration of this one man that started it and kept it going. Things could be quite different without him.

I find his accomplishments to be phenomenal. In my lifetime, I don't think I will ever witness an American change the country like he did. He preached that non-violence was the only rational way to achieve these lofty goals, and he was right. He had to lead people under the fear of ugly and violent racism, while trying to raise a family of his own. I see many young people wearing Che t-shirts and talking revolution this, revolution that. I find more strength in the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A non-violent, Christian minister from Atlanta that achieved far more than the famous Argentinian.

I think everyone should make time to read Dr. King's Letter From Birmingham Jail. It is essential literature on civil disobedience, or disobeying unjust law. (As is Thoreau's Civil Disobedience.)