Another Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

In the US there is a very controversial holiday that causes several dilemma for Blacks, African-Americans and White people, and yes there is a difference. The dilemma? How to celebrate this holiday?

Most holidays, come from age old traditions, with clear cut symbols, music. folklore and years of observance and acceptance, but Dr. King Day poses some very unique challenges.

• Why is it observe?
• How should it be observed?
• What if I or my company does not observe it?

Most holidays, have distractions, so it is nothing new, it is just that Dr. King's birthday observance is still very new, un-established and carries such political baggage, that it makes often distracts from any of the positive things that can really be gain from the significance of its creation. So back to the original question, exactly what should you do to observe this holiday?

Why is Dr. King's birthday a national observance?Most for political reason, which is why there is so much confusion around the observance. Most school-aged children are taught, that Dr. King died for freedom; That his non-violent approach to bringing about Civil change, helped to raise the expectation of our Nation regarding freedom and equality, thus raising the expectations of the world.

How should Dr. King's birthday be observed? In short, anyway you want to. The parades are nice, the day off is pretty cool, and the breakfast and dinners are OK, but after that is all said and done, it get's to be pretty cliche and the real meaning is lost.

The dilemma for some people is the fear of appearing racist, in either direction. Blacks often fear they will incur the suspicions of Whites and limit the possibility for growth and promotions. Blacks also have to deal with other Black criticizing the non-observance. Then there is the religious and political overtones that often distract from any honest expression. Of course many whites face the same fear. Society puts a lot of pressure on us to conform and often the Powers-That-Be, uses these fears to progress various agendas.

I observe the Holiday in a varieties of ways, sometimes it is by attending religious services, parades and functions. Sometimes, I give monies to groups that are seeking to help those less fortunate. I always spend time in prayer and gratitude for the lives that were saved by Dr. King's efforts. Most people do not realize it nor consider that Dr. King help to prevent Civil war and even with the brutality that was inflicted on those who supported the Movement, the damage would have been a lot more deadly had not Dr. King lived and died. How you celebrate or not celebrate the Observance is your choice and that is what Dr. King lived and died for.