- —
Each year seems to find an increase in local events commemorating the life, the words and, most importantly, the dream of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
These events honor the ideas of King who spoke of not judging people by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. The same King who spoke for political, social and economic equality for blacks. The same King who led the tumultuous civil rights movement through the 1950s and ’60s.
These events celebrate the strides that have been made in equal rights for all Americans, no matter their race, since the days of King. And these events will note the travails that remain in regards to race within our nation.
During these events, King’s “I Have a Dream” speech has been mentioned, quoted and read. It ranks as one of the most eloquent and powerful speeches in American history.
In that speech, King spoke of many things, including, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. ... I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. ...”
While enormous strides have been made in integration from schools and theatres to the workplace and restaurants, even with the election of a black President, the MLK events likely won’t reflect such integration. The majority of these events will be attended by black participants while whites stay away.
Why such a disparity? It is hard to say. Perhaps, it is because whites do not feel welcome or they do not believe the events are for them.
But this situation is not unique to Valdosta. Throughout the nation, by both blacks and whites, Martin Luther King Day is largely perceived as a “black holiday.”
What an ironic injustice for the day commemorating the man who spoke of blacks and whites sitting together at the table of brotherhood.
Martin Luther King wasn’t just a great African-American.
He was a great American.
Martin Luther King Day isn’t an African-American holiday. It is an American holiday to honor a man who asked America to keep its long-held promise that all men are created equal.
Martin Luther King is a man for all Americans as the day commemorating him is a day for all Americans to reflect on the nation’s past, but more importantly, think of its future.
What We Think
What We Think: MLK Day: An American holiday
- What We Think
-
-
Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
-
Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
-
On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
-
Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
-
Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
-
Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
-
Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
-
Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Tornado: An aftermath of help
