Just An Observance on MLK Day
Posted by Antoinette R. Banks | Posted in Jr , Martin Luther King , MLK Day , observation | Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010
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While 56% of American’s have the day off, 44% of Americans, under employers’ ideals somewhat synonymous with Jesse Helms and Ronald Reagan, are in their offices today answering phones, and scheduling meetings—another manic Monday.
But how should we honor a man who wanted to overturn the entire edifice so that ALL PEOPLE could practice, justice, charity, and love toward one another?
Vincent Harding, one of King’s colleagues, once said, “A dangerous Negro, now a national hero. How shall we work with that?" In 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. was called the most dangerous Negro in the United States because he posed a threat to the very precious ideals that, unfortunately, continue to underwrite our socio-economic and political culture.
A national observance of Martin Luther King Day today leaves me feeling Shakespeare-like—to work or not to work? If we take the day off, are we observing King for the man he was and the amazing lengths he went for equality or by taking the day off are we domesticating his subversive message?
nice thought, its well written..
Thanks for the compliment, Jeremy!
As one of the 44% of Americans working on today, I personally take it as a big slap in the face. We are forced to take off a holiday that originated with massacre and pillaging of an entire people, celebrated with turkey and stuffing. But on a day we celebrate the greastest American hero of all time, who gave us the opportunity to enjoy true freedom, we are working! The owner of my company is a white-male that was born and raised in Tennesse, so am I wrong for thinking this is a version of corporate salvery or their way of ignoring and boycotting the efforts and achievements of such an American hero. Just wondering!