Have you ever stopped to think about it?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
January 21, 2013 8:09am CST
I think these days more and more people take certain holidays for granted.. such as Martin Luther King, Jr Day.. which is today in America. Although kids in school are learning about what Dr. King did, I don't think they fully understand the meaning of it because they've never lived in a time of segregation. I myself never lived through segregation so like them, didn't find it a big deal while growing up.
Many of you probably did grow up in that era. You know what it was like before Dr. King, and what the end of segregation has brought to our society.
But I often hear of people talking about the holiday like it's just an excuse for a day off of work or school.. and no serious reflection on the meaning behind it.
Today I'd like to reflect. I'm sure each and every one of us has someone in our lives that wouldn't be there if not for Dr. King. Perhaps a close friend, or relative.
For me, it would be one of my own children..my oldest son. He would not exist if our world were still segregated.
If you're not American, please tell me if your native country ever suffered through segregation.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
21 Jan 13
I am probably more than twice your age and reember the events of this time very well. I think that at this timw racism in the U.K. was more subtle - not in your face kind of racism but it was there. What we called 'mixed marriages' were not unusual then also not the norm.
I made a conscious decision to live on the Island as I wanted my children to be first class citizens of a country - hwever small that country may be
I wanted them to have a sense of pride and self worth too.
My parents and family etc were ot prejudiced. My mother was upset that he wasn't a Catholic
But he became a Catholic many years later.
Do I regret marrying my husband? Never. Thank God for the Martin Luther King's who were so very brave to change the way that people thought about race.
I wanted them to have a sense of pride and self worth too.
My parents and family etc were ot prejudiced. My mother was upset that he wasn't a CatholicBut he became a Catholic many years later.
Do I regret marrying my husband? Never. Thank God for the Martin Luther King's who were so very brave to change the way that people thought about race. 
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
22 Jan 13
Aw geez, typos happen!
You are probably very lucky then that you were born in the UK and not in the U.S.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
21 Jan 13
I get so mad at myself. I read before pressing send and do not spot the typos. 
Apologies.
Also enjoying watching the inaugeration on television. It is a class act and all the citizens of the USA must feel so proud of their country.
Apologies.
Also enjoying watching the inaugeration on television. It is a class act and all the citizens of the USA must feel so proud of their country.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Jan 13
Well, if they were still beating the crap out of black men for associating with white women, I don't suppose Tony would have dared to approach me.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Jan 13
And you wouldn't want him to or you'd be shunned, as would your children.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
21 Jan 13
We may no longer be segregated but I don't think we've grown away from it.
That is to say that while people may not want to admit it, there are some of us who still hate another race, who are still afraid of another race.
I know one person who tries to hide it, but I've seen for myself and am very suspicious that she is not a racist. The way she has acted, it makes me wonder.
I am not a racist, but I am afraid of certain different races.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Jan 13
Fear of a color? That is not only judgemental but also stereotypical by saying everyone of a certain color must be feared because they all act the same way. In essence, that is racism.
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I know what you mean , I agree we hardly really think about the holiday we are just happy to be home . Like here whenever we have independence celebration most people celebrate but most of us younger ones dont really understand the importance of it because we were not living in that time .
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
21 Jan 13
Mr. King was a great man. We all had alot to learn from him. its to bad he was taken from us so early.
@Happielady85 (384)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I agree with you, he was a wonderful man. I live in California and since I am an older person, I really never knew what segregation was like until I went to StLouis with my parents. When we entered the train station, I was shocked when I saw white people on one side of the station and blacks on the other side. When I went to the Ladies room, there was a sign that read Whites Only. In another area of the station there was a sign that said Coloreds ONly. There were separate drinking faucets for whites and blacks. The next day when I went for a walk with my parents, we were looking for a restaurant. A black man who was walking across from me was so startled when I asked him where the closest restaurant was.This trip really opned my eyes.
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
21 Jan 13
Reflecting is a good idea on days like today. One of the most significant things I think it brought forth is that segregation is a word from our past. I love how the younger generation never looks at a person heritage, they are just friends. I know in the past that wasn't true. If they wanted to be friends the older generation tried to prevent it. I remember watching some of the things that went on....and I am so proud of how far we have come. Certainly there is always room for improvement, but we have moved in the right direction.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
21 Jan 13
Around here, stores and malls are mostly closed on holidays. It's an attempt of the local government to make the people reflect on the meaning of the holiday. Instead of them just going to malls to shop.
I know it isn't so effective, as most people just go out of town, but it is still a good way to explain to kids when they ask why the stores are closed when they're off school too.
