# Happy Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (Observed)! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 20, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-martin-luther-king-jr-s-birthday-observed/149756 "2003-01-20T05:54:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-martin-luther-king-jr-s-birthday-observed/149756/1 "2003-01-20T05:54:46Z")
That’s right, it’s that most auspicious of American federal holidays, the birthday of none other than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! For those from other countries, he was a minister who was instrumental in the civil rights movement in 1960s-1970s USA. His eloquence and dedication are nothing short of superhuman. Although it’s a tough call, I’m willing to go out on a limb and name him My Favorite American Ever. From what I have heard about the Civil Rights movements, it seems to be one of the most difficult struggles this country has faced internally, and one that was met with incredible passion and humanity. I think that we have come an amazingly long way in the last 40 years, and Dr. King would be proud of the world that people like him have let me and so many others live in. So, how about it Americans? How are you going to celebrate this glorious day? I think my university’s ministry program is putting on some sort of ceremony; I’ll be looking into it. But whatever I’m doing today, I will always be remembering the man who gave this country so much. Dr. King, I salute you, and thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-martin-luther-king-jr-s-birthday-observed/149756/2 "2003-01-20T15:46:15Z")
I’m going to work. I’ll do so in a very integrated office and industry. Given how much Rev. King valued education, I always thought this was a day all students should be in school. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-martin-luther-king-jr-s-birthday-observed/149756/3 "2003-01-20T16:52:17Z")
Our local thrift store is having a MLK day sale. According to the flyer it’s “A great sale, for a great guy!” ---
**Author:** ![OrganicMatter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/898d66/32.png) [@OrganicMatter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OrganicMatter)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-martin-luther-king-jr-s-birthday-observed/149756/4 "2003-01-20T20:08:20Z")
> [@](#): > > I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a _negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice_: who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action’; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a ‘more convenient season.’ _Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection_. [emphasis added] > > – Rev. MLK, Jr (_Letter from a Birmingham Jail_, 1963)