Martin Luther King Jr.

[Sugaree]

Do you think that this day is important and why?

I feel that it is important because we are celebrating the birthday of the man "who had a dream" that all of us are created equally and should be treated that way.

I feel that if he had still been alive today he would still be in the fight against racism in all aspects of life.

So give me your thoughts on all of this and how and why he became what he became.

[[[chickaroo92]]]

I believe that this day is VERY important to us.
Not only did Martin Luther King have a dream, he had a plan. To stop war. To gain peace. and to not be racist.

Martin Luther King contributed to alot of people. He taught as an important lesson. The world isn't about black or white. It's about all of us being nice to one another.

[mixedupfool]

i personally dont think its right for him to have a day,

in my city we call it "all americans dAy" instead of martin luther king day,

but he didnt do anything

lincoln did

[Sugaree]

Excuse me? You mean to tell me that Dr. King didn't do shit for this country!?

He stopped racism. Sure Lincoln did a lot for the country but Dr. King said that the world isn't black and white.

[Serenity]

Ok excuse ME

He stopped racism? Really. Hm. I beg to differ, ACTUALLY. And MLK wasn't the first person who told people it's not all about race.

[redcar]

Ok I really have no business in this thread seeing as I am Irish. But from an international point of view Dr. King is an important figure because of what he did but more importantly has become a symbol for the fight against racism. Like Rosa Parks, what they did in their lifetime was great, but it has become so much more. They are symbols for a cause.

When I think of those two people I first think of what they did, but more importantly I think of what they stand for now, people who stood up against what is morally wrong. If we don't have people like that and don't celebrate what they do, then a cause has no face, and if you can put a face and personality onto a cause, you have a better chance of winning.

My two cents.

[Gumleaf]

we have been tought about and seen video clips of some of his famous speech in school here. we don't celebrate mlkj day here, but we have been tought about what he stood for and what he was trying to do.

[Sapphire]

He stopped racism.

What about the Neo-Nazis, the KKK and the skin heads then? You have them in the US so he clearly didn't eradicate racism.

He peacefully protested against an injustice he observed and suffered from personally. He delivered his point of view calmly and clearly. It is this that we should learn from him.

[Sugaree]

Well I think I really went over on that but he put it in a very clear context that racism is wrong and should not happen.

I mean the KKK is still up. There might still be Nazis out there but hey we don't know jack shit about that.

All I'm saying is that he should have a day dedicated to him. MLK was an icon not just in African American history but also in United States history

[Sapphire]

Trust me, there are Neo-Nazis and skinheads in your "wonderful" country.

I think the message he had and what he symbolises are fantastic. We should all be aware of it. But having a day dedicated to him is a bit much.

I mean, there is no day dedicated to Mother Theresa (sp?) that I'm aware of or for Princess Diana. Is there one dedicated to Gandhi? These three all did and stand for great things too.

[Sugaree]

I am not saying that this country is wonderful!

What so you believe that the American people think that we are allmighty? Because we don't ok.

[Sapphire]

Did you actually read beyond my first sentence? lol

[Maverick]

I mean, there is no day dedicated to Mother Theresa (sp?) that I'm aware of or for Princess Diana. Is there one dedicated to Gandhi? These three all did and stand for great things too.
True, but they aren't mainstream figures in American history.

[Sapphire]

Stupid me.
Diana just helped break the stigma experienced by those with AIDs. I mean no one in the USA would be affected by that.

[Maverick]

You know that's not what I meant. I didn't say the people you listed didn't have relevance nor effect here.

There is no perfect way to aknowledge every single person that did something relevent unless you learn a lot of history and stay in depth with current events.

Some will shine more than others and be remembered most and MLK is one of them. There's no reason to belittle or look down upon his holiday because it doesn't get equal respresntation with who you find relevant. MLK day isn't just about him but the movement and other important people involved and reflecting a turning point in this nation's history.

[Sapphire]

I'm not looking down on it because I disagree with the inequality in representation. I just don't agree with the whole thing. The only one I feel we have a real need for is dedicating a day to remembering those who have died fighting for the country.

Awareness can be raised another way.

[hievery1]

i think its very important he tried to have piece andfor the poeple who think its not that important imagine what it would be like if he never was alive the world may have had a WAAAAY differnet history.

i for one will say

Rest
In
Piece
martin luther kind

[Sapphire]

To truth of the matter is, if he hadn't done it then someone else would have.

[Whisper]

I kinda agree with some of your points but now ur just being spiteful hun

http://www.break.com/index/bill-clinton-has-a-dream.html

[Sapphire]

I'm not being spiteful. I simply stated a fact.

[Whisper]

.....no, your being spiteful

[Sapphire]

Do you really think that if MLK hadn't existed the black people would still be slaves to the white people?

[Whisper]

No I do not, Canada NEVER had slaves PERIOD
But the fact remains he was a major turning point in it
HE was the one who did it
not someone else
you may not like him thats your choice
you may be in a debate against him
but do it respectfully

[Sapphire]

I've never said anything against him.
All I've done that may be construed in such a way is say that if he hadn't done it then someone else would have.

[Camazotz]

I believe its a very important day. This man dedicated his life to try to stop racism and have peace between everyone, no matter what race they are. Sure he didnt stop racism totally, but he did a lot for this country and deserves to be dedicated for his work.

[goin to work]

he was a crazy man no day for him give bil clintion a day if u give mlk a day

[Sapphire]

Why not dedicate a day for the actor who has got the US the most recognition then? Or the person who has helped the US economy the most?