In Your Opinion, Does Martin Luther King Jr. Deserve a National Holiday

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I vote no on this one, and, as was pointed out, it has nothing to do with racism. There are thousands of people who have contributed to this country, many of them more significantly than MLK. The only other person who has a National Holiday in their name is Columbus (I don't think he deserves it either). I don't believe we should create permanent national holidays to honor specific individuals.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Galt's gallstones

[chri'stina 190]

Stina, please do not bring logic into this.

[Dave-n-Oksana 49]

Was Doctor King an important man? Yes. Deserving of a holiday in his name? No.

He was a great speaker and has been able to motivate and inspire many generations of people about equality. But he was not the only person fighting the good fight of civil rights. Maybe if the holiday had be promoted as a Civil Rights day, more people would be more supportive.

[Ali G. 37]

Was Doctor King an important man? Yes. Deserving of a holiday in his name? No.

He was a great speaker and has been able to motivate and inspire many generations of people about equality. But he was not the only person fighting the good fight of civil rights. Maybe if the holiday had be promoted as a Civil Rights day, more people would be more supportive.

Or simply a day of unity which encompasses various efforts.

[Peikko 1,575]

I think that's what the day is about, MLK is being used symbolically.

[natty bumppo 297]

Or simply a day of unity which encompasses various efforts.

like saint patricks day ... where everyone is irish?

[Ali G. 37]

like saint patricks day ... where everyone is irish?

Well they're white and European, so any of their achievements are irrelevant.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Booyah

[ValerieA 350]

Just to offer a differing viewpoint on why someone would vote no: economics. Stat holidays cost companies a lot of money, not good in these times.

Disclaimer: I did vote YES in the poll. I just understand the hardship that stat holidays cost from an employer perspective.

[MrsCat 6]

I vote no on this one, and, as was pointed out, it has nothing to do with racism. There are thousands of people who have contributed to this country, many of them more significantly than MLK. The only other person who has a National Holiday in their name is Columbus (I don't think he deserves it either). I don't believe we should create permanent national holidays to honor specific individuals.

Perhaps we should rename the holiday to Black Leaders Day, that way when the discussion whether to make a national holiday for Obama happens, we can say there is already such a day.

And we really should rename Columbus Day to Small-Pox Carrying Colonizer Day. So we can equally celebrate all those who sailed the ocean blue looking for tea and spices.

I vote yes, while there are plenty of people who deserve an individualized holiday who are not recognized, there are some people who come to signify a larger community/movement. MLK was that.

[natty bumppo 297]

Well they're white and European, so any of their achievements are irrelevant.

that's true ... they did nothing to build this country ...

[gabby4ever 1]

Does MLK deserve a national holiday? --- NO

[Ali G. 37]

that's true ... they did nothing to build this country ...

Between Europeans, Asians and people from the Middle East, we have done nothing for humanity and progress. Had it not been for African Americans, this world would still be in caves.

Australia's progress for nothing over a span of 100 years, for example, is a joke when compared to being able to sit anywhere on a bus. Now that is something you can take to the bank.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Booyah

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think that's what the day is about, MLK is being used symbolically.

Indeed.

By the by who in their right mind is going to seriously argue against having another paid public holiday. Its not as though we get that many of them to begin with.

[Dan J 277]

I never considered the holiday to be just about MLK. Instead I always saw it as a recognition of the entire civil rights movement of which MLK was probably the most prominent leader.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Perhaps we should rename the holiday to Black Leaders Day, that way when the discussion whether to make a national holiday for Obama happens, we can say there is already such a day.

And we really should rename Columbus Day to Small-Pox Carrying Colonizer Day. So we can equally celebrate all those who sailed the ocean blue looking for tea and spices.

I vote yes, while there are plenty of people who deserve an individualized holiday who are not recognized, there are some people who come to signify a larger community/movement. MLK was that.

Why dont we in include that with black history month?