g8trz2003 Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Jesse Jackson spoke at Furman University (my college) last nite. I did not attend (I wanted to see the hypnotist! lol). Plus, I dont wanna hear that guy's crap. Anyway, the speech was about Martin Luther King Day. As Greenville County, SC is the only county in the U.S. (I believe) to not recognize MLK Day as a paid holiday. This is actually almost comical because Jesse Jackson is from Greenville. He is always speaking in front of the city council, calling for a vote. And he repeatedly gets outvoted in the city council. Now, before people freak out on me, I need to explain why I feel we should not celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Yes, MLK did a lot of great things for blacks, minorities, and society in general. But, how does Martin Luther King get the only holiday in the United States named after a single person. There is no George Washington Day. No Thomas Jefferson Day. No Abraham Lincoln (ugh) Day. No Susan B. Anthony Day. No Cesar Chavez Day. The only holiday for a single person is Christopher Columbus Day (which is only recognized by banks and DMVs pretty much). MLK did a lot. But how can you leave Cesar Chavez out? How can you leave Susan B. Anthony out? There are many minority activists besides MLK. If there is to be a paid holiday, it needs to be Civil Rights Day. I dont even think MLK would want the holiday to be named after himself. Too many other people worked hard for their rights for it to be named after 1 man. Those are just my feelings. Oh yah, I almost forgot to tell yall. My friend was going over to his mailbox, and bumped into Jesse Jackson. Jackson asked him what he felt about MLK day, and my friend Adam p*ssied out. He said he agreed with him. I would like to think that I would have stood up to the "Reverend" and said what I just typed here, if it would have been me who bumped into him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 I agree with your point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g8trz2003 Posted September 16, 2003 Author Share Posted September 16, 2003 sweet. See, a lot of people think that as soon as someone says "there shouldn't be a MLK Day" that they are automatically a racist. But, in fact, many fail to realize that there are more minorities than just blacks." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g8trz2003 Posted September 16, 2003 Author Share Posted September 16, 2003 I do think that it is up to Greenville County. It shouldn't be up to the federal government to make a decision. I like that it goes to the city council (or county council or whatever?). It affects the people in this county, so people outside the county should not make the decisions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rune Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Jesse Jackson spoke at Furman University (my college) last nite. I did not attend (I wanted to see the hypnotist! lol). Plus, I dont wanna hear that guy's crap. Anyway, the speech was about Martin Luther King Day. As Greenville County, SC is the only county in the U.S. (I believe) to not recognize MLK Day as a paid holiday. This is actually almost comical because Jesse Jackson is from Greenville. He is always speaking in front of the city council, calling for a vote. And he repeatedly gets outvoted in the city council. Now, before people freak out on me, I need to explain why I feel we should not celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Yes, MLK did a lot of great things for blacks, minorities, and society in general. But, how does Martin Luther King get the only holiday in the United States named after a single person. There is no George Washington Day. No Thomas Jefferson Day. No Abraham Lincoln (ugh) Day. No Susan B. Anthony Day. No Cesar Chavez Day. The only holiday for a single person is Christopher Columbus Day (which is only recognized by banks and DMVs pretty much). MLK did a lot. But how can you leave Cesar Chavez out? How can you leave Susan B. Anthony out? There are many minority activists besides MLK. If there is to be a paid holiday, it needs to be Civil Rights Day. I dont even think MLK would want the holiday to be named after himself. Too many other people worked hard for their rights for it to be named after 1 man. Those are just my feelings. Oh yah, I almost forgot to tell yall. My friend was going over to his mailbox, and bumped into Jesse Jackson. Jackson asked him what he felt about MLK day, and my friend Adam p*ssied out. He said he agreed with him. I would like to think that I would have stood up to the "Reverend" and said what I just typed here, if it would have been me who bumped into him. MLK day is a black pride day more than a celebration of his life, also most schools now don't let off for MLK. Also why is he so wrong, I've heard you spout off numerous times about how The South was treated unfairly but when he supports his people he's wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g8trz2003 Posted September 16, 2003 Author Share Posted September 16, 2003 I get the feeling you are implying I am racist. But anywho. 1) So it's black pride day. So, everyone must celebrate black pride day? Black pride day must be a paid national holiday (which is what Jackson is pushing for)? That, my friend, sounds racist. There is no hispanic day. No Native American day. No Oriental day. Just black pride day. Cute. 2) Oh, its more of a black pride day than a celebration of his life? That's news to me. "All 50 states honor Dr. King. Why would Greenville County stand out as the Guinness book for resistors? Greenville has been a big beneficiary of King's work. [The] I-85 corridor is an investment because he opened the South. You could not have the Panthers or Falcons behind the Cotton Curtain. We have a better South made by King. He should be honored." That sounds like a celebration of his life and what he's done (which is admirable). 3) Why is he so wrong? No, he isnt so wrong to want to celebrate what King has done for blacks. He is wrong in thinking that blacks are the only oppressed people and the only minority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rune Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 I get the feeling you are implying I am racist. But anywho. No, I consider a person who speaks out and wants lesser rights for that group a racist, I just don't agree with your logic. Their's no Spanish Pride day, what do you call THe Cinco De Mayo celebrations in cities, what do you call The Annual PRican parade in NY? Once again, what do you call Chinese New Year, yeah I think that's A Pride Day. Pride days are all over just because their not as visible means nothing. MLK day started as a celebration of his life but it has trancended(sp) into a black pride day just like how Black History month started as a month that is there because of notable black birthdays. Also, wouldn't you consider yourself just like Jesse but instead of Black people you care about The South? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 here is the way i see both of yoru arguements. i realize there is cinco de mayo..... i realize there is chinese new years.... i realize there puerto rican parade in NY..... but none of these events are on a national scale....none of these events are cause for a national holiday.... but....we never enslaved the other minorities like we did blacks.... its a delicate subject.... i like furman's idea. like we did with President's day....a Civil Rights day would honor all minorities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g8trz2003 Posted September 17, 2003 Author Share Posted September 17, 2003 Cinco de Mayo, Puerto Rican day, Chinese New Year, etc.....those aren't national paid holidays. I am all for celebrating MLK on his bday, or when he died, or whenever. But, to make it a NATIONAL PAID holiday is not the best idea I don't think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g8trz2003 Posted September 17, 2003 Author Share Posted September 17, 2003 i thought that this would attract more posters, than just the usual Rune and Das Texan (no offense! )...oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBurque Posted September 17, 2003 Share Posted September 17, 2003 I have to agree with Furman on this one. MLK was a great man, as was G.Washington and many others listed here. I like the Civil Rights Day. Hell, make January Civil Rights month for all I care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 i thought that this would attract more posters, than just the usual Rune and Das Texan (no offense! )...oh well Its that I don't think anyone descents. Thats why i haven't posted until now, all the bases have been covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 I want to have a white male celebration day. I want to make it into a national holiday. Who would object? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 Thats fine when there is a Cuban Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 we have an black day. when is Cherokee Day? when is Sioux Day? when is Mandan day? when is Iroquis day? when is Seminole day? etc..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Reb Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 hard core Southerners to this day call MLK Day 'n****r day'. I think Furman makes an interesting arguement, one that makes more and more sense, especially when considering how we basically transformed Washington and Lincoln's birthday celebrations in February to Presidents' Day on I believe the 3rd Monday of the month. It makes sense, especially when you go outside of the box and look at Civil Rights not just being about African-Americans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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