Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has passed. Schools were closed, banks, libraries, government offices — all closed in honor of this one man.
While alive and after his murder, his words still resinate with emotion, power and meaning . . . and well, I think there should be school on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Before you go too far, let me paraphrase comedian Michael Richards (aka Kramer), who recently told the world, ‘The crazy thing is, I’m not a racist — and that’s what’s so insane about this.?
Is MLK, Jr. Day a day of play or a day of engagement, action and reflection?
I just think Martin Luther King, Jr. Day should be a day of education and the advancement which can come from education. I am not sure, but I believe the education should focus less on the man himself, and more on what he tried to accomplish with his life.
And, what does that mean Amos? It means, Andy, schools should be open on MLK, Jr. Day with kids in class, but not necessarily with their butts in their chairs. Wait, a cotton pickin? minute. If students are not in their chairs, what kind of education could possibly take place? Kids, relax, I am talkin? field trips.
Not only should schools be open, but so should all public libraries, government offices and museums. All government employees should be at work, and work AND work and be there for field trips. They’ll need to answer questions on how their particular branch of government works. Government workers — all — should be on hand to explain to our citizens what they do, what education they needed, what they earn and why their job is vital to the collective well-being of the community.
I have a dream, that on MLK, Jr. Day kids learn about their government, civics, history and how they, as MLK, Jr., did, can change the course of a nation. I have a dream that children get involved. I have a dream that all folks, young and old, rise to the occasion for the rights and liberties of the downtrodden, for the individual facing corrupt odds, for justice and not vengeance.
Martin Luther King, Jr., was not about taking a holiday from school or work. He was a man about taking action against injustice. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day should be a day about being engaged and involved in your government. Dear Wife Jen (a much deeper thinker — and really a quicker thinker — than yours truly) has a dang-good idea for MLK, Jr. Day.
Her’s sort-of goes against what I just espoused, but travels in the same vein of thinking. Her oxygen-enriched idea (versus my already circulated and used up idea) is to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a real national holiday. Hmmm? I bet you’re thinking. Mr. Rush, tell your wife it is already a national holiday.
Folks, it’s on the books but not all are obliged to participate. Within 15 miles of this writing, were it not for an ice storm and slippery roads, school districts were set to be open.
What Jen proposes is this: Let’s move November’s general election to January . . . to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. And, after we move the election date, we give the day off to everybody (except those in public service or employment — that’s my addition to her idea) so they can vote. There will be no excuses not to vote (to be engaged in the government we’re ‘sposed to run).
Some may say, ‘Well, if we have an ice storm like this year, nobody will be able to vote. We’ll have even less of a turnout than we do now.?
Valid point . . . off the top of my head, we could find a summer-to-fall date that can be the new Martin Luther King, Jr., get-out-the-vote day. I like August 28 (or the Monday closest to it). It was on this date, in 1963, when MLK, Jr., delivered his ‘I Have A Dream? speech in Washington, D.C.
I know that ‘special? Tuesday in November is historically our election day, but — really it ain’t. Schools can have elections to suit themselves, versus history. So, let’s change it. Boom, let’s do it. What better way (besides my lame-o idea) to show where this country has been and the direction it claims to be heading, than to make our national day of participating (voting) a day to honor the descendant of slaves.
I think it is brilliant, symbolically, and in practicality. Come on, only 60 percent of the folks vote for a US President, about 10 percent for local school elections, and less for local seats for village councils. We need citizens to get involved, this could do it.
Your thoughts? E-mail them to Whtieboy Don, dontrushmedon@charter.net