The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday

The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid

Message

MzMia -> The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/20/2008 6:54:54 PM)
I went to see Denzel Washington's movie "The Great Debaters", yesterday. Denzel Washington directed and starred in this movie. Denzel Washington is now my favorite actor, hands down. It was awesome and one of the best movies I have ever seen. It was surreal being able to watch THAT movie 3 days before Martin Luther King's official holiday. THE GREAT DEBATERS - OFFICIAL SITE This film is based on the true story of the Black Debate team at a little black college, in Wiley, Texas. They were sponsored by Melvin B. Tolson, who, while at Wiley College formed the debate team that beat Harvard in 1935 during the national championships.It is a must see movie. : ) It was one of those movies that I consider to be a wake up call, and full of many positive messages. I hope to go see it again, and I can't wait until it comes out on DVD. This is one movie, I will be proud to own. Martin Luther King Jr. must be smiling that this story is being told, and the movie was actually even made. Happy Birthday to you, Martin Luther King, Jr. YouTube - Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday

FatDomDaddy -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/20/2008 10:19:13 PM)
I understand and approve of why we celebrate his birthday as a National Holiday but what I do not understand is why it is a school holiday? I should think that it would be a day of learning for school aged kids, especially his dream of a color blind society where race or quota's.

MistressNoName -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/20/2008 10:27:46 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy I understand and approve of why we celebrate his birthday as a National Holiday but what I do not understand is why it is a school holiday? I should think that it would be a day of learning for school aged kids, especially his dream of a color blind society where race or quota's. Could it possibly be b/c all national holidays ARE school holidays? MNN

MzMia -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/20/2008 10:35:30 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy I understand and approve of why we celebrate his birthday as a National Holiday but what I do not understand is why it is a school holiday? I should think that it would be a day of learning for school aged kids, especially his dream of a color blind society where race or quota's. lol, I did not think ANYONE was even going to answer this thread. rubbing my eyes out of shock! It is a holiday, because the government made it a holiday, just as they made the other holidays. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday

MzMia -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/20/2008 10:57:20 PM)
I have heard this question asked many times, that is why I gave you the answer I did. I have no problem, WITH the question being asked. I understand some people do NOT feel it should have been made a holiday, BUT it was made a holiday! I am very happy about this holiday, and celebrate it every year. I understand you may not feel this way, but it certainly IS okay. To each their own. [:D]

pahunkboy -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 7:14:48 AM)
The man had a good heart. I am sad he was shot. [I do wish there was mail today tho, sorry] [ same per most every holiday][ the world and bills dont stop...] anyhow- let freedom ring. :-)

thompsonx -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 8:34:39 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy I understand and approve of why we celebrate his birthday as a National Holiday but what I do not understand is why it is a school holiday? I should think that it would be a day of learning for school aged kids, especially his dream of a color blind society where race or quota's. FatDomDaddy: Do you have a problem with Christmas,Vetrans day or Presidents day being non school days? Or is just a holiday that celebrates a black man being a non school day that bothers you? Now is the time to get on your bicycle and backpedal your way out of this. thompson

pahunkboy -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 8:47:44 AM)
--ok- by state law- children must attend x number of days in a year. Obvioulsly snow days have to be factured in. Summer off was initially to allow workers for the fields. The school day could be extended- or the year extended. What better a gift to a child then an education? Next- there is a thug element that uses this holiday to act up...to publicly be rowdy and do damage. [sorta like when the team wins the big game] Any time I am on a road named "MLK" i get nervous. Rascism isnt pretty- check our prison documentaries... in the animalistic basic form, people align by race. Anyhow- Kings principles are an inspiration to all of us. [shame on thugery, who riot in the streets]

FatDomDaddy -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:03:31 AM)
Um.....the Only National Holidays that are always school Holidays are... Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years. Unless you want to count Labor Day and Memorial Day which really don't count in many school systems because it is at the begining or end of the School Year. (Many systems start after Labor Day and/or end before Memorial Day. Columbus Day, Vetrans's Day & Presudents Day Are school days in most of the country.

popeye1250 -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:14:54 AM)
FatDomDaddy, you forgot St. Patrick's Week in Boston. It's only supposed to be for a "Day" but it lasts a week.

MzMia -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:22:32 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: popeye1250 FatDomDaddy, you forgot St. Patrick's Week in Boston. It's only supposed to be for a "Day" but it lasts a week. There is my popeye! Is it only a week? I thought St.Patrick's Day was celebrated for at least a month!

TheHeretic -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:35:35 AM)
I tend to wait for DVD on a lot of movies these days, Mia, but a film about debate would certainly be on my list. Out here in CA, we also have Cesar Chavez Day. I wonder how long that one will take to go national?

thompsonx -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:40:10 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: TheHeretic I tend to wait for DVD on a lot of movies these days, Mia, but a film about debate would certainly be on my list. Out here in CA, we also have Cesar Chavez Day. I wonder how long that one will take to go national? Rich: I am up for it....another three day weekend is always a good thing.[;)] thompson

MzMia -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:46:07 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: TheHeretic I tend to wait for DVD on a lot of movies these days, Mia, but a film about debate would certainly be on my list. Out here in CA, we also have Cesar Chavez Day. I wonder how long that one will take to go national? Oh Rich, the film is MUCH more than a debate! That is what I thought it would be about myself. It is more of a political and social commentary about what life was like for a group of Black Americans in the 1930's. It touches on Jim Crow laws, farmers attempting to get unionized, civil rights, racism, you name it. Forrest Whitaker and Denzel Washington deserve Academy Award nominations. I would say maybe 20% of the film at most, shows the debates. I actually would have LOVED to see more of the actual debates. That little Black college in Marshall,Texas BEAT the Harvard University debate team in 1935, do you know how huge that was? You HAVE to see it when it comes out on cable and let me know what you think. Also, I learned about the ART OF DEBATING. Did you know debating was really an artform?[:D] This was the 30s Rich, in the middle of the depression. Black people were NOT allowed to attend State Colleges, segragation remember? They thought they would have to stay off campus because Blacks were not allowed to sleep in the same quarters as White people. The fact that they were even ALLOWED to sleep on the Harvard campus was a big deal. I was actually clapping and cheering at the end of that movie. I even shed one tear.

velvetears -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:56:15 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy Um.....the Only National Holidays that are always school Holidays are... Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years. Unless you want to count Labor Day and Memorial Day which really don't count in many school systems because it is at the begining or end of the School Year. (Many systems start after Labor Day and/or end before Memorial Day. Columbus Day, Vetrans's Day & Presudents Day Are school days in most of the country. These are the school holidays in my area anyway: Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Winter Recess, Good Friday, Spring Recess, Memorial Day Not sure where you get your info from - i got mine from my um's actual school calander. And it is not a private or catholic school - it is a public school.

TheHeretic -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:57:40 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MzMia Did you know debating was really an artform?[:D] An ancient one. I competed for years, Mia, and still judge a bit when the opportunity comes along. There are a great many forms and models. I suppose even a good forum mudwrestle would meet the criteria.

KatyLied -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 9:58:20 AM)
quote: Labor Day and Memorial Day which really don't count in many school systems because it is at the begining or end of the School Year. (Many systems start after Labor Day and/or end before Memorial Day. Where are these schools located?

Stephann -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 10:14:35 AM)
I do feel that MLK had an important impact on our country. Yet MLK wasn't the messiah, founder of our country, or discoverer of the continent we live in. In fact, Lincoln's (who actually issued the emancipation proclamation) birthday is lumped together with Washingtons, and celebrated in February instead of his actual birthday (April.) And finally, national holidays that celebrate individuals are usually established nearly a century after their death. I don't, personally, feel that King meets the standard of national, annual recognition. In no way am I suggesting his impact was trivial; rather, I feel the movment whom he represented had several important leaders and symbols, and the focus on King detracts from their accomplishments. I would prefer to see the day represented through history as a 'national equality day' of some sorts. Unfortunately, the soundbites for NED probably wouldn't be as catchy. MLK's birthday, IMO, is representative of our new, sound-bite, media blitz world. Personally, my belief is that equality for all will only come when we stop recognizing black men (or white men, or yellow men, or red men, or green men) who were important, and simply recognizing men who were important. Regards to all (regardless of color) Stephan

MzMia -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 10:19:34 AM)
You make valid points, and I enjoy hearing all opinions. I am not offended in the least. That is the beauty of being in America, we are all free to voice our opinions. We all know that declaring this a National Holiday, was a very political move. So what, it is a Holiday, for whatever reasons! Let freedom ring!

popeye1250 -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 10:19:44 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: MzMia quote: ORIGINAL: popeye1250 FatDomDaddy, you forgot St. Patrick's Week in Boston. It's only supposed to be for a "Day" but it lasts a week. There is my popeye! Is it only a week? I thought St.Patrick's Day was celebrated for at least a month! Mia, wasn't MLK a Republican? He hated the Kennedys.

Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 next > >>

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.0625