MLK Day

[coffeediver]

If Dr. King had not been assassinated, would there still be a holiday today?

Thoughts?

[SpaceCanada]

Martin Luther King did many great things for humanity. As for holidays, we don't get a holiday today in Canada... and I don't know how holidays work in the US, but why was a holiday named in Dr. King's favour in the first place?

[coffeediver]

Short version:

Several states (including Alabama) were against the idea of the MLK day holiday, contending that MLK was but one small part of the Civil Rights movement and thus did not deserve the distiction of having a holiday in his honor. The holiday was passed by congress and President Reagan in 1983, but several states did not recognize it. Arizona finally recognized the holiday in 1992 after a proposed boycott of the state by tourists. In 1999, New Hampshire changed the name of Civil Rights Day (how they chose to recognized the proposed holiday and a better way) to MLK Day after pressure from groups like the NAACP, ACLU, and others.

[meg]

i dunno. but i REALLY like your avatar.

[SpaceCanada]

Wow, I never realised how much politics there would be in naming such a holiday. I realise the importance of such a holiday, but I think I would agree with you that Civil Rights Day would be a more appropriate title for such a day, and to celebrate such a day on a momumental date in history rather than Martin Luther King's birthday.

Mind you, we celebrate 'Victoria Day', the birthday of the Queen... but I guess that's just because we are a Commonwealth nation.

[Space Nerd]

I dont think it would be a holiday if he were still alive because generally speaking we appreciate people more when they're dead (despite the obvious flaws with that system). If he were still alive i think that there would still be some sort of civil rights holiday but it probably wouldnt be called MLK day.