First, let me emphatically state that I don NOT begrudge Martin Luther King, Jr. his day. I very much believe in all he stood for and think that the country really should stop on this day and remember why. Why he's remembered, why he fought in the first place, why it is such a tragedy that his life ended far too soon.
However, what I don't get is why MLK should get his own day while other activists do not. Why not César Chávez Day or Harvey Milk Day? (Actually, Chávez does get holiday status, but only in a handful of states.) We afford veterans a day of reflection - and you actually see officials doing something appropriate. It's like this day means as much as getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - lots of pomp and circumstance, but no substance. (Pat Sajak and Ryan Seacrest have stars. 'Nuff said.)
If all the veterans can have Veteran's Day and presidents can be lumped together into Presidents' Day, then why not create a generic Human Decency Day and then do something meaningful with it? Is it because we don't want it to be just another day that car dealers and mattress stores can use for sales purposes, or is it because we don't want to acknowledge the fact that we really aren't all that kind to our fellow humans?
Tomorrow's inauguration hails the start of a new era. I am hopeful that it will turn the tide on our country's mindset. Gone will be atrocities (I'm looking at you, Gitmo), and in will come more decency. I think it's the best way to honor the memory of Dr. King.
Labels: misc