MLK Day and My Opposition To It
Martin Luther King jr was, without a doubt, a great American. He was not however, a perfect American. That’s not a criticism though, since the same can be said of anybody. He was also not always right on every issue. On the whole, this country is a better place because of him, but his strict pacifism and his support of anti-civil liberty measures like Title II and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act certainly taint his legacy. Still though, nobody is perfect, and Dr. King’s positives far outweigh his negatives.
But does Martin Luther King jr deserve to have his own national holiday? You know there is only one other man, other than Columbus (thanks Bridgett) who has his own holiday in this country and that man is considered by most to have been “God inherent”. Of course I am talking about Jesus Christ and that national holiday known as Christmas. Was Martin Luther King, with his humanly shortcomings, equal to Christ in the eyes of some? Perhaps so.
No I do not believe that Dr. King should have been given a national holiday, and I will not accept the normal and stupid criticism that my stance means that I am a racist. I would oppose a national holiday for Ronald Reagan or even George Washington, who both presently share their day with the other forty one national executives.
What I think we should have done was create something like a “National Civil Rights Memorial Day”, a day in which every man or woman involved in the struggle for civil rights is recognized. The Civil Rights movement was larger than one man or one woman. Many people lost their lives in the fight for equality, black and white, Jew and Gentile. Martin Luther King jr. was a great man, but collectively the movement was much greater.
I also think it is highly unfortunate the way certain states were muscled into recognizing this holiday. Arizona was even denied a Super Bowl because they would not bow to Washington and recognize this day. Of course, private company’s like the NFL and various other businesses can do what they want to, but that doesn’t mean they should. Imposing on the sovereignty of states is a shameless activity for a corporation or business to be involved in.
In conclusion, I apologize for offending anyone but I have my principles, and knowing who and what I am, I have no reason to tremble in fear at the thought of being labeled a racist. I honestly don’t care. That tactic is usually an act of desperation, the last gasp of an idiot. But in spite of all of that, I want to close by acknowledging this fact, Martin Luther King jr, was a great man and this nation is better off because of him.
More from Joe Powell, Nashville Is Talking, Aunt Bee, Nigh Seen Creeder, Liberadio, Jeffraham Prestonian, Progressive Nashville, Sharon Cobb, Tennessee Guerilla Women, Music City Bloggers, Sarcastro, Memphis Etc., Thad Matthews, Lean Left, Enclave, Gingersnaps, Fore Left, Sadcox (excellent post btw).
Glen, your original contention is incorrect. Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1971 and it commemorates the life and achievements of Christopher Columbus. If we’d like to talk about imperfect human beings that probably don’t deserve a US holiday, he’s at the head of the line.
Likewise, according to section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees, the holiday that most of us refer to as “Presidents Day” (and include Lincoln) is specifically and intentionally designated as “Washington’s Birthday.” Southern states originally opposed the inclusion of Lincoln. It has never been celebrated nationally as a commemoration of the executive branch generally.
During the Reagan years, the Congress did proclaim August 12th National Civil Rights Day, but it apparently did not catch on.
[…] Dean decided to cross one this morning: No, I do not believe that Dr. King should have been given a national holiday, and I will not […]
Yes, and I’d agree that squaring MLK off with Jesus is probably loading the question. I think that the Civil Rights movement and its accomplishments are embodied in King–because he was assassinated, because he was so charismatic, because he was truly the leader of the movement–so I think that it probably works to have the day be named for him. And regarding the need for a day to commemorate the movement, slavery and segregation are “modern America’s” most serious wounds/faults, so having a day devoted to remembering the struggle is crucial.
On that point, I think that it probably is a more effective way of commemorating something to have it focused on a person . . . I think. Especially since (I know I’m going to irk some of you) the movement is minimized when its essence moves beyond the issue of race to things like sexual proclivities.
Okay Bridgett, I oppose them both. It doesn’t matter though really. It is what it is. The point is, that as a society, we should not exalt any one man, be he Lincoln, Washington, King, Columbus, or whoever. Lots of people agree with me, but they are so scared of the PC police that they don’t speak. I have to speak for their candy asses.
Ned, go and study up on King. His legacy of bringing freedom to Americans is good. But his legacy of supporting Title II and Title VII, which infringe on property rights is bad. Not to mention the fact that he supported the misguided and failed war on poverty. He was also an extreme pacifist. The net result of all of that is still good, but no one person, none, receives his or her own holiday. We don’t have enough days in the year to recognize all of the good and important people in our history.
[…] The Archives I’m so lazy and uninterested in the tempest in the teapot over here, I’m not going to spend my day off doing anything more than “cut” and […]
Christmas too? Whoa, you really are consistent!
Christmas has been around forever Bridgett, and it is not only a religious holiday, but a secular one.
What are you saying though Bridgett? Go ahead and spit it out. Start your demagoguery. Say it.
Hey, but at least we know that MLK actually existed and did the great things people revere him for. Unlike some people (*coughJesuscoughcough*).
President’s Day is a day to remember “not perfect” guys who’ve left this country, for the most part, better.
Veteran’s Day is a day to remember “not perfect” guys who’ve left this country, for the most part, better.
Groundhog Day is a day to remember “not perfect” rodents who make the weather forecast, for the most part, better (or at least more entertaining).
Thanksgiving is a day to remember “not perfect” pilgrims who, for the most part, made this country possible.
Columbus Day is a day to remember a “not perfect” foreigner who destroyed civilizations but also, for the most part, made Spain better.
Not sure what the complaint is exactly? Not disagreeing either - just really really not understanding.
Shaun, did I not say I supported a National Civil Rights Day? Would a holiday like that not “remember ‘not perfect activists who, for the most part, made this country possible?”
Read it Sean. All I am saying is that a National Civil Rights Day would be more appropriate. No man, not King, Columbus or anybody should have their own day. And the day this holiday was pushed through is shameful. Anybody that voiced opposition was labeled a racist and states were threatened for not recognizing it. It was a victory for racial demagoguery.
Megan, if you talk to some of the people who knew King, I bet they would tell you that his faith in that person you believe never existed, was a huge part of his life and his makeup.
Glen, you can untwist your knickers now. I was teasing you for waving the flag of “no man should have his own day” (even though it’s been demonstrated that other men do, a fact that makes most of the stated rationale for your objection wrong) but insisting on the protection of Christmas. I guess you missed the bit about “fully man and fully God” and the dual nature of Christ.
You are misusing the word demagoguery, apparently meaning by it “speech by people who disagree with me.” Sometimes people can just think you’re misguided without wanting to lead a torchlight parade about it and I’d fall into that category.
Bridgett, if that is the case, then I apologize for misjudging you.
Why do you think my belief that there should have been a day to recognize all Civil Rights leaders, and not just one, is misguided?
Glen, I know. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t you think?
Yeah Megan, I guess it is. I guess…
Much thanks for the link love…
On a completely different note, have you guys considered changing your RSS feed to include full posts? I’m already a big fan, and the frequent posting makes using a reader much more convenient.
I don’t know. I kind of want people to come here. I use a reader too, but not for Volunteer Voters and Instapundit. In time, I hope we become a regular stop like those sites are. I understand what you are saying though and appreciate the input. Just call it hit counter greed, I guess.
I get what you’re saying Glen. I tinkered with partial posts in my feed for a while too. And don’t think for a second I’m trying to tell you how to keep house around here. But consider this…
Currently you only have a couple of sentences to lure your RSS subscribers into clicking through to the site. I know I’ve missed some of the better writing on your site (this post, for instance) because I wasn’t sucked in with the first couple of lines.
I don’t use my reader for Instapundit either, I just visit once a day. But unlike Instapundit, you guys write a lot of commentary, not just links to other articles, and have comments on your posts.
At any time I have at least 50 unread posts in my reader. Give me a reason to click through and comment (and read comments) here instead of one of the competing posts on someone else’s site.
Again, just an idea from a guy who likes the writing and breadth of ideas here. I’m going to continue reading regardless, I just want to make sure I don’t miss anything!
Keep up the great work!
Thanks Sadcox for the kind words. All feedback is good.
I’ve thought for years that there should just be a National Civil Rights Day rather than an MLK holiday. So I agree with Glen. Everyone else who had fought for civil rights before MLK, who fought for them while he was alive and who have continued to fight for them since are equally, if not more, important. It’s the concept that needs to be remembered and honored.
And more of my two cents. I think Columbus Day is a ridiculous joke that should be done away with. Columbus (aside from the obvious start of the great destruction of the North American civilizations) didn’t do anything particularly spectacular. People had been sailing great distances into the unknown for centuries/millenia (look at what the Polynesians did - yowsa!). He didn’t “discover” anything that people hadn’t discovered many millenia before. It just becomes that extra Monday off for me in October.
I think Columbus Day is a ridiculous joke that should be done away with.
If The Sopranos taught us nothing else, it demonstrated that Columbus Day is, in some places, very much an Italian-American Pride parade.
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