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brainiacsub -> RE: The Great Debate/Martin Luther King's Birthday (1/21/2008 12:15:42 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Stephann
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
If it matters at all, I am in complete agreement here. But give it some time. The life and legacy of MLK is still relatively new in our country's history, and we have a long way to go before before we can call ourselves civilized and progressive when it comes to race relations. I suspect sometime in the next 50 years we'll have another 'awakening' and instead of celebrating another birthday, we'll create the NED of sorts you speak of. It is inevitable and only a matter of time, just as with Presidents Day.
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