A Few Words of Gratitude

During a discussion about what should constitute a National Holiday, my fellow conversant mentioned that his company may be trading Good Friday for Martin Luther King day.

This brought me to reflect on our National Holidays. What constitutes a National Holiday? I believe that when a day is set aside for the people of our nation to recognize and observe something, by the government, it should be for something that impacted our social developement. As a nation.

Martin Luther King moved mountains for us. He believed in, fought and sacrificed for our constitutional right for equity amongst all the people in our nation. Not only for equality for our neighbors of African decent and brown skin, but for the working poor, of all ethnicities. He, one courageous and rightous man, changed the direction of our society. This man and his important works SHOULD be recognized. A day for our nation to observe, remember and reflect upon the benefits that we all enjoy because of his gifts to our country. Martin Luther King moved us as a nation towards a greater enlightenment.

Those days set aside for National observation should be about our country. Veteran's Day. Thanksgiving. Independence Day. Even President's Day. We must remember that we live in a country where we enjoy feedoms that our ancestors paid for. If we neglect to stop a moment and feel gratitude for that, to reflect upon our personal gains bought by others, then we negate their sacrifice. Lets make a point to remember.

Our country is an aggregate of a variety of beliefs. The diversity of people are like the ingredients in a good chili. It wouldn't be chili without all that goes into it. In our culture today, your neighbor is perhaps Jewish, perhaps Muslim, perhaps Christian. Our nation certainly has Christian roots, but we have evolved and still are evolving as a nation. If I, as a Christian, wish to celebrate Good Friday and observe it at home with my family, then I live in a country where that is my right to do so. And if Mr. Winstein and his family, (my neighbors), wish to stay home and observe Rosh Hashana, and Mr. Patel and his family, (other neighbors), wish to stay home and observe Ramadan, they also live in a country where that is their right. Religious observations should not be nationally instituted. What should be instituted are days set aside to commemorate the people who fought for our right to celebrate our beliefs, without persecution.

I would like to take this time to say "Thank You" to Martin Luther King, and all those people before me who sacrificed for what I daily take for granted. You do not go unremembered.

Peace