Martin Luther King Jr. Why give him a holiday?

[buzz words]

I've heard so many opinions on why there shouldn't be a holiday.  What are your thoughts?

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by buzz words

I've heard so many opinions on why there shouldn't be a holiday.  What are your thoughts?

I live in a perpetual state of holiday.  That doesn't mean I stop working or look for reasons to take the day off.

I mean what great leader wants people to remember him/her by being unproductive?

Doesn't the work Holiday mean Holy Day anyway?

[Publius]

I believe we have Martin Luther King Day because the discriminated minority needed a symbol from the majority that the country was sincere about abolishing discrimination. Blacks had no president to celebrate and Reverend King was/is arguably of the same or greater stature as most presidents, who are acknowledged on President's Day.

Perhaps with the inauguration of President Obama tomorrow, the need for MLK Day will be significantly diminished, but not gone. Perhaps, if President Obama becomes a great president, monuments will be built to him and he will have his face carved into Mount Rushmore. Only history will tell and maybe then the need for MLK Day will evaporate.

For now, Martin Luther King Day is needed and I cannot envision a day when his legacy will be so forgotten so as to eliminate the need for a holiday in his name. But maybe, just maybe, someday . . .

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by buzz words

I've heard so many opinions on why there shouldn't be a holiday.  What are your thoughts?

it is also Robert E Lee day in many parts of the south.

I like how the day is slowly evolving into volunteerism day.  That's what it should be.  transend above an individual and make it be about a larger cause.  That's what MLK was all about anyways.

We reduced Washington and Lincoln's day down to just Presidents day.  I think that is more appropriate too.

What I hate about MLK day is the lack of consistent observance.  Schools, banks, and the like are quick to take the day off, but I have never worked for a place (public or private) that has observed the day.  It brings chaos to people who have kids in school.  I think if the day evolved into Volunteerism Day more companies would consider observing the day.

Currently, I do work for a place that observes MLK day, albeit loosely, in the form of a 'floating holiday'.  We also observe President's Day this way as well.

My floating holiday is Friday.  Gives me a chance to get my DL renewed, cause I sure don't want it to expire (I've already heard the horror stories about renewing if you let it expire due to HB1804).

[deinstein]

Better him than mythological creatures like Jesus.

[Townsend]

quote:Originally posted by deinstein

Better him than mythological creatures like Jesus.

Wow,  can open and worms everywhere.

[deinstein]

quote:Originally posted by Townsend

quote:Originally posted by deinstein

Better him than mythological creatures like Jesus.

Wow,  can open and worms everywhere.

And spades being called.

[Gaspar]

My wife works in the academic world.  Her office was upset that the university did not deem MLK Day a work holiday so they took the day off anyway.

They wouldn't dare doc anyone's pay for it.  Can you imagine the backlash for that?

[cannon_fodder]

I'm not very politically correct by anyone's definition, but an obscure reference to "spades" in a thread about MLK to go along with a Jesus reference is really throwing down the gauntlet.   Quick, make it into a valid point before it gets Moderated for just stirring up the pot!

[tulsascoot]

It's a day to commemorate the struggles and victories in establishing civil rights in this country (something we still need work on). MLK embodied the spirit of this fight (a peaceful fight) and is honored for his sacrifice for the cause.

[tulsascoot]

and that's why he should have a holiday.

Those who think he should not have one seem to me to be racist, or at least have underlying racist tendencies.

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by tulsascoot

It's a day to commemorate the struggles and victories in establishing civil rights in this country (something we still need work on). MLK embodied the spirit of this fight (a peaceful fight) and is honored for his sacrifice for the cause.

Well said.

[deinstein]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I'm not very politically correct by anyone's definition, but an obscure reference to "spades" in a thread about MLK to go along with a Jesus reference is really throwing down the gauntlet.   Quick, make it into a valid point before it gets Moderated for just stirring up the pot!

No, I just think it's funny we have a thread questioning why a legitimate person has a holiday, yet a mythological figure has two that are often considered the most important.

[deinstein]

quote:Originally posted by tulsascoot

Those who think he should not have one seem to me to be racist, or at least have underlying racist tendencies.

Yep.

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

MLK was a great man and the holiday is legit.