Candace Chambers
Blue & White Flash / News Editor
Holidays equal freedom days. Days when men and women are off from work, students are away from their desks, and banks cease to cash checks. As Americans, we celebrate Columbus’ “discovery” of a land already inhabited by Native Americans, a day of independence created when only a select group of people could enjoy a land of freedom, and the more suitable celebratory occasions of Christmas and New Year’s Day.
What about the special holiday that falls on the third Monday in January every year? Who is the man we have on our calendars listed under Federal Holidays? The man we learn about when Black History Month rolls around, who had a dream, and by the way, had four kids. The man featured on posters in classrooms and on floats in parades. This man is THE Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But, are we seeing the big picture?
Every year, America celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. King and the many contributions he had for not only African-Americans, but for all human beings. And yes, he had a dream, but he also climbed to the mountaintop and saw the promise land. This man challenged the request of preachers to cease the fight against injustice in a letter from a jail in Birmingham.
Yet in still, through all of the marches, protests, sit-ins, water hoses, and dogs, Dr. King’s fight for freedom is often remembered through one day of commemoration, although the struggle for equality is still happening year round.
When I state to some, that I attend Jackson State University, a prestigious HBCU, I am judged and stigmatized because of the mass amounts of darker hues present on the campus, but not congratulated because I am amongst mass amounts of intellectual students striving to better themselves as at Harvard or Yale. But I must remember, as Dr. King stated, “Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education,” even though I am judged by the color of my skin.
On a national scale, President Barack Obama experiences conflicts and deliberate booby traps when determined to help ALL Americans, regardless of race, color, gender, or sexual orientation. But despite the setbacks, Dr. King made clear that, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
No, we can’t wait for freedom and equality to appear out of the sky and pass the holiday on as another “off” day. We must continue to live by Dr. King’s legacy by serving our fellow man. President Obama has officially asked Americans to celebrate Dr. King’s day as a National Day of Service.
JSU students agree that MLK day is a day to celebrate the drum major for justice, who said in his last speech, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
Renee’ Jones, a junior criminal justice major said, “MLK day is a very important day because of Dr. King’s sacrifice for Blacks and actually all races.”
In honor of the holiday, Quinton Watts, freshman civil engineering major from Jackson, Miss. believes that people should serve others.
“Serving others is a Good Samaritan act and expresses kindness out of the heart,” said Watts.
Go out into your community and volunteer your time to help others year-round. Whether helping an elderly lady take her groceries to her car or sweeping up leaves in a neighbor’s yard, you can truly make a difference in turning Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream into a reality.
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
