There is a Holiday in our Midst

It appears the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday is Monday in which all school children will have off and all banks will be closed. I know this holiday is coming because of two things... which are pathetic really... one is I seem to have some sort of 6th sense on when we get to sleep in. Sleeping 'in' to me is anything after 7:30 and I am NOT a morning person. If I could sleep until 8:30 every morning I would be a very happy girl. The other reason I know this holiday is coming is my 2nd grader is learning about MLK in school and I'm hearing about it... realizing his birthday must be upon us.

Son#2 gets in the car on Monday and says, "Mom. Do you remember when Dr. Martin Luther King was shot? Where were you? How old were you?"

Heh. The great historian I am, I couldn't remember what year it transpired. So finally knowing his teacher is a year older than I, and his happening to know his teacher was 3, I was able to tell him I felt certain I was 2 and 'No, I do not remember the event or anything surrounding it.'

He, however, is quite the plethora of information from race riots to segration.

Every Tuesday, my eldest has band practice and so while waiting, I grab the younger two and we go to a French Patisserie down the street and they get a snack. Son#3 had to use the restroom and I pointed to the back of the store. This is when Son#2, the newest expert on all that Dr. King stood for, says to his younger brother, while LOOKING at me and NOT in a quiet voice, but in somewhat of a bravado, "There is ONE bathroom in the back of this restaurant and BOTH black people and white people can use it."

Heh. I wasn't sure what to say accept to tell him he was correct.

Now I have heard over the years people poo pooing this holiday. I worked with people who did not like Dr. King for whatever reason. I'm sure y'all have heard it all too. I ignore it. Here is my take.

I don't think our country needs to forget our history and the fact of the matter is, minorities did not have the same rights as white people and that was just flat out wrong. It was a tough time in our history and those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. If it takes the celebration of someone's birthday to make our schools teach them about the civil rights struggles, then so be it. It is a part of our history, a history that must not be forgotten.

So where we aren't getting a birthday cake for Dr. King and more than likely the only person who will speak of him on Monday will be my resident expert, Son#2, I think it is a good thing. And for more than just the fact I get to sleep in. Every generation needs to be educated... and this is as good a time as any.