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By Diane Forrest
The
opinions in this article are the sole view of the author, and her's alone. I add this disclaimer because the boss and I
have respectfully agreed to disagree on this matter.
Today is the day the country celebrates the birth of
Martin Luther King, Jr. His actual
birthday is January 15; however it is celebrated on the third Monday in January
each year. King was an American
clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights
Movement. He is best known for his role
in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. King
has become a national icon in the history of American progressivism. On April 4, 1968, he was shot and killed in
Memphis TN, on the balcony of his hotel room.
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Mr. King was one of many who participated in the Civil
Rights Movement, He was considered the spokesperson, however there were many
who were just as involved, and just as important in the Movement. Those who come to mind are Medgar Evers, who
was also shot in the midst of his works with the Civil Rights, Ms. Rosa Parks,
who was not assassinated, but her actions spoke volumes when she refused to
give up her seat on the bus in Alabama.
James Meridith, who was the first African American to attend the
University of Mississippi, under the protection of the National Guard. President John F. Kennedy, and his brother
Robert, who both worked tireless in the fight against civil injustice, and both
lost their lives during that fight. James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael
Schwerner, three Civil Rights workers who were killed in Philadelphia,
Mississippi when they were working to help gain voters in the African American
community. These are but a few that come to my mind at the moment, but there
were thousands more.
That is why I think that recognizing the fight and
victories of the Civil Rights movement is not only important, but necessary;
however, I don’t believe that one single person should hold that honor. I feel that the day should be recognized as
Civil Rights Movement Day, or some other title.
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I think that King's place in history is important, as
were other people in history, Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, Roosevelt, all made
laws and programs to change the lives of many, however they are not singled out
for a day in recognition. Just as these
men are recognized on President's day, so should all the others in the fight
against Civil Rights should also be included.
What are your views on this day? We would like to hear them.
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