Why did it take 32 years before MLK Day became a TRULY national holiday?

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It is interesting to note that it has only been since the year 2000 that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday has been observed in all 50 states as a national holiday.  The legislation to designate Dr. King’s birthday was initially introduced in Congress by John Conyers in 1968 just months after Dr. King’s assassination.   It ONLY took 32 years to FULLY come to fruition.  The opposition within the Congress was fierce and littered with some of the same tactics we witness today … namely fear, ignorance and intolerance.  Please click the following link to read more about that opposition:  http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2KlXnr/www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872501,00.html

For those of us who were alive when Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the MLK holiday is always a good time to reflect on the changes in America in general and within the African-American community in particular.  Barack Obama was elected in 2008, becoming America’s first black president.  Aside from President Obama, how have black leaders shaped up since the assassination of Dr. King?  Melissa Harris-Perry addresses that very question in the following link: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2KlXnr/www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872501,00.html

On that note, how tolerant have we become in America?  How tolerant are we as INDIVIDUALS?  Click on the following link to learn how tolerant your state is:  http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-16/ranking-the-most-tolerant-and-least-tolerant-states/?om_rid=NsfrKW&om_mid=_BNNKSqB8XcKOpx

How close are we to having a totally equal education system?  With some of the data available on education in America, that appears to be a legitimate question.  There are some of the opinion that schools are actually MORE segregated today.  The following link makes a good case for that point: http://www.danagoldstein.net/dana_goldstein/2011/01/on-mlk-day-some-thoughts-on-segregated-schools-arne-duncan-and-president-obama.html

America certainly appears to be more violent.  Have we regressed from Dr. King’s unabashed desire for non-violence?  In light of the most recent national tragedy, the mass murder in Tucson, it would appear that we have.  CBS News addresses the question:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/17/national/main7255122.shtml

I love America.  It is where I was born and where I was raised.  There is no other country in the world I would rather live in.  However, we still have issues of separation and intolerance in America.  There is talk of American exceptionalism.  We can be exceptional, America, once we become totally INCLUSIVE of all of our citizens.  That should be the goal of ALL Americans.  THAT was Dr. King's goal.  THAT was Dr. King's message.

I’m game.  Are YOU?

Peace, peace …

Craig Riggins

Follow me on Twitter: @TheProdigal517
Facebook: Craig Riggins
Email: theprodigalreturns517@gmail.com

President Obama's MLK proclamation

John Boehner's tribute to Dr. King

Communities following in Dr. King's footsteps

A slideshow tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.










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