It seems a little wrong to wish someone a happy MLK day. Though today is a celebration of his birth, this year being the 40-year anniversary of his death seems to make “celebration” a word that is out of touch. If you have today off, I hope it’s a good one. For some reason, MLK is probably the most meaningful federal holiday that we have. My feelings remind me of the intense personal celebrations of St. Patrick’s day and Columbus day in NY (and the Dominican and Puerto Rican Pride Parades as well), all are days in which intense personal connection to a larger community consumes a huge segment of society and all differences are set aside for one day of celebration and pride.
MLK day, celebrating a man of such historical significance that is still so close (I’m not knocking our presidents, or our vets, or our country, of the unions, or those who have died in the defense of the US (right or wrong), is one day that seems to embody all the values that liberal, conservatives, greens and libertarians can get behind. We may disagree as to how far we’ve come, how far we have to go, and how to get there (or whether we need to), but the ideals of judging each indiviual by the content of their charachter, by their actions and their words is pretty noble.
MLK may not have been the first to espouse them, and he won’t be the last. But he did so loudly, effectively and in the end lost his life because of it. For these principles and sacrifices, MLK day trumps all the rest for me.