Editorial: MLK Day Isn’t Just A Day Off

Annually, on the third Monday of January, the United States celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., one of the nation’s most highly influential American civil rights leaders. Though being a federal holiday for most of the general population, we as Americans often get caught up in having “an extra day off” and forget the significance and the meaning that the day truly brings.

Being that Martin Luther King was an important civil rights activist, he historically stands as one of the most important figures in U.S. history- and rightly so. His dedication to the African-American community during the height of the Civil Rights movement paved the way for many incredible changes, some of which America has still yet to make. With this in mind, it is important for the American people to realize this day is not just an excuse for a day off of school or work, but rather a day of commemoration and realization.

This holiday serves as an important platform for the issues of white privilege and the prejudices that still exist in this day in age. Although we have made progress since the 1960’s civil rights movement, there is still much more work that needs to be done in this country.

King’s leadership and dedication for the movement to end racial segregation in the U.S. is one to commemorate. Although African-Americans continue to be discriminated against heavily due to systematic racism and oppression in today’s society, King’s determination for better treatment should be more prevalent today than it ever was.

King’s organization of the March on Washington especially is one to remember throughout the years. Working with a number of civil rights and religious groups to organize the March for Jobs and Freedom, King wanted to create a peaceful political rally designed to shed light on the injustices that African-Americans faced.

This march is the birthplace of King’s infamous “I Have a Dream” speech, a spirited and righteous call for peace and equality that is considered a masterpiece of history. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, King spoke the words of his vision for the future of America and his hope for equal rights for all citizens.

So, for this current Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the many more to come, it is important to treat it much more than just another day off. It is one of importance, and a day worth commemorating all the achievements and those to happen in America.