Today, we as a nation celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Or do we?
In a commentary by Earl Ofari Hutchinson in yesterday's Los Angeles Times, it was noted that nearly 40% of state and local public agencies remain open over MLK Day. Less than 30% of businesses give their workers the day off.
"By contrast," Hutchinson writes, "about half of U.S. firms give their employees a day off on Presidents Day — after King's birthday, the least-observed of U.S. holidays."
Even Google, which decorates its site for nearly any occasion, doesn't have a tribute to King.
LAist pleads guilty to enjoying a three-day weekend, but we recognize what today means. It took 15 years of struggle in Congress to get a national holiday honoring King, who shared with us the dream of a country united and worked tirelessly to make the dream a reality. The civil rights leader helped to make this nation a better place; he gave hope when it seemed that hope was lost.
We agree with Hutchinson: "Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. is honoring the best that America ever was." Enjoy the holiday.
