American History

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is, in my opinion, one of the most important federal holidays in the United States. It is a fact that African-Americans have gone through one of the most difficult struggles in our history. Beginning with their forced immigration from their African countries to the Americas, they have been dealt with cruelty and injustice. They were treated as commodities by their white owners and had little to no rights at all. The African-American slaves were treated as objects and tools for the production of vast plantations of their white masters.

This fate was imposed upon them they were snatched from their peaceful lives in their homeland. Most of them died in the long journey from Africa to the Americas. They remained in the sidelines of American History subjugated by their white masters.

It was only after several civil unrests and dissent from African-American groups and the rise of the civil rights movement by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that the struggle for real change was unraveling. After a series of events that led to the transformation of norms, ideals and beliefs of the American consciousness the real revolution against racial discrimination and segregation cemented itself in society.

In consideration of his contribution to American society, the third Monday of each year was declared as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This was a pinnacle in the civil rights movement as it recognized the struggles he had endured but at the same time symbolized the struggle of all African-Americans. It was signed into law in 1983 by President Ronal Reagan through HR 3706 and was first observed in 1986. But the recognition of the said holiday is without controversy as several states were reluctant to consider the said person worthy of the honor.

Arizona and New Hampshire did not initially comply with the federal holiday, with some of their representatives questioning the importance of Martin Luther King Jr. but inevitably they did. According to the New Hampshire Almanac, the state initially named the holiday as Civil Rights Day and only did change the name in honor of Dr. King in 1999. Also, in South Carolina it was only in 2000 that the governor signed into law declaring the said holiday as an official state holiday. One wonders why there was opposition in honoring this great man.

Dr. King gave one of the most moving and inspirational messages of all time on August 28, 1963 through his I Have A Dream Speech. This message of one day seeing freedom granted upon his race, sharing the same rights with white Americans sealed the fight for the Civil Rights Movement. It is a poignant and honest reflection on his personal yearning to one day see his people free from the shackles of the past and see his brothers and sisters hand in hand with the whites.

Dr. King envisioned a nation untangled from the complications of its violent past and it was undoubtedly a message that resonated throughout. Whether you were black, white, brown, yellow or whatever color or label that is attributed to a class or race, you will only feel the sincerity of his wish to one day see the world united.

This was his dream and its a dream that has inspired generations of people, not only in the United States but also around the world. It has influenced other civil rights movement in attaining their dream of equality and justice. Reading the text of the speech one would feel the appeal to the emotions of what it is to be human. Compassion and kindness defines us as people and we should exercise that ability to its most compelling point. Dr. King has not only touched the lives of African-Americans and not only the American nation but also he has shared his dream and vision to every person in this world. Hopefully, the day comes when differences are not the things that set us apart but rather the reason we embrace one another knowing full well that inside we are all human beings worthy of love and compassion.

Now, if I were to think of a new national holiday maybe our nation could consider adopting an Immigrants Day. A day where we celebrate our fellow Americans who came to our country to seek a better life or for whatever reason has contributed in one way or another for the welfare of our society.
Some people may think that immigrants are part of the reason why our nation is degenerating but I believe that they have been one of the most important factors of our success. They remain as an important part of our labor force and without their services several key sectors of our industries would surely depreciate. Their contributions to American society must be recognized.

I mean we are all immigrants in one way or another, this was after all the homeland of the American Indians, and our forefathers only came here as immigrants themselves exploring new lands while some were escaping from religious persecution. This would honor those unsung heroes who in their own little ways help build the foundations of our country and our economy.

Though this is not an endorsement of those who are staying here illegally but rather those who have become citizens themselves through the legal processes. It should be considered that at the end of the day we are all Americans who came here seeking a better life but at the same time giving a pert of ourselves to create this society, although not perfect, but one of the best in the world.