Editorial: Fairness to all — a fitting tribute to MLK
Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Jan. 18, 2014, Contra Costa Times.
Next month the nation will celebrate the birthday of two presidents, in May we will honor those killed in our defense, in July the founders will be front and center, and in November we will thank our veterans.
But before we get to any of that, we have set aside Monday as a day to celebrate our conscience — our social conscience, to be exact. Since 1986, Americans have done that by observing a national holiday on the third Monday in January to honor the birth and life of the Rev. Martin Luther King.
Admittedly, some see Monday as just another three-day weekend that happens to fall during what used to be prime snow season (ahem). But that myopic view ignores the profound social and moral impact King has had on the nation. His life drove change that continues to influence our culture daily.