Martin Luther King Day(USA)

[escorial]

Noticed this on my UK calendar....what happens on this day to celebrate him...

[Tiamat]

Mostly, people share the same three or four famous quotes of his on various social media platforms and pat themselves on the back for being woke.

[Foxee]

Kids have the day off of school but it's not a holiday for businesses. My employer sent out a letter to all of us in remembrance of MLK and thanking us for helping people. It's a lot like any other remembrance day where some do more to remember than others, I think.

[River Rose]

It’s about remembrance. The the healing and words they left behind to continue their mission long after they are gone.

[Xander416]

Mostly, people share the same three or four famous quotes of his on various social media platforms and pat themselves on the back for being woke.

Pretty much this.

[Llyralen]

I wish there were more traditions and really just any talk about him. Because usually it’s just a day off and you might not even hear his name. I usually talk about him with my kids and listen to his “If I had sneezed/I have been to the mountaintop” speech, which is my favorite speech of all time. I also post on media and pat myself in the back for being woke.

it’s still a controversial day off to my parents. They don’t want this holiday. I don’t know what their feelings were in the 60’s and 70’s but they make sour faces when people mention MLK. And me... I’m incredibly grateful for all he stood for and all that was accomplished. America is a weird place, what can I say? If anyone can frown at the mention of MLK and if others of us feel woke but our prisons are still filled with people of racial minorities and there are babies in cages who I haven’t heard anything about for months in the media....we’ve got a long ways to go. I do think it’s all really messed up.

[River Rose]

Mostly, people share the same three or four famous quotes of his on various social media platforms and pat themselves on the back for being woke.

That is really jumping to a all around egotistical conclusion to say that ppl whom are sharing the same three or four quotes of his on social media platform are doing so to pat themselves on the back for being “woke”. Interesting how one would not look at it as sharing a inspiring message that could have a positive impact on someone’s life who will then turn around and have a positive impact an another’s life. This is how we make a step toward changing/shifting this world we live in. One positive motion forward at a time.

[-xXx-]

local culture/history oriented eclectic theaters
show films intended to prompt discussion.
some artists, academics, students, families in attendance.

the emphasis for the day is education and active service,
acknowledging and affirming those that struggle daily
by providing supportive face to face encounters
constructed to alleviate isolating/degrading aspects
imposed by external systems
suffered by real persons within the community.

invisible and diminished persons
are embraced.

socially insulated persons
encounter personal narratives
which permit them
to better understand
how quickly
giver and gifted
roles reverse.

nah.
not everyone participates.
but many, many do.

blanket?
socks?
gift card?
help with your resume?

be well,

[escorial]

Thanks for the input....everyone

[Tiamat]

That is really jumping to a all around egotistical conclusion to say that ppl whom are sharing the same three or four quotes of his on social media platform are doing so to pat themselves on the back for being “woke”. Interesting how one would not look at it as sharing a inspiring message that could have a positive impact on someone’s life who will then turn around and have a positive impact an another’s life. This is how we make a step toward changing/shifting this world we live in. One positive motion forward at a time.

All I'm saying is that my Facebook and Twitter feeds yesterday were full of his famous quotes--specifically the one you mentioned (which also made the email rounds at work), along with several references to the "I have a dream" speech. Didn't see a single reference to Dr. King's anti-capitalist quotes, of which there are many. Or any references to his condemnation of white moderates for remaining complacent and making excuses for injustice and preserving the status quo.

Maybe my observation is egotistical, and maybe your reasons for sharing the quote you chose to share were altruistic. However, the whole point of my original reply was to point out that most Americans don't actually observe MLK Day, beyond vague hand waving at a very small portion of Dr. King's legacy, and that a lot of the people--at least in my social media feeds--who shared those three or four famous quotes were also vehemently opposed to the BLM protests over the summer and think the idea of making Juneteenth a holiday is preposterous.