LETTERS: Local comments about Martin Luther King Jr. Day undermine leader’s racial ideals

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN LARRY S. BARTEL – HILLSBORO
Today in Hillsboro we celebrated our newest national holiday. Our schools closed, as did our banks, city offices and post office. Tabor College hosted an event commemorating the life of Martin Luther King Jr., a devout Christian man who was martyred for his faithful stand in the cause of justice. Today would have been his 72nd birthday.


My memories of this 2001 Martin Luther King Jr. Day are clouded with sadness and a deep sense of personal failure. I witnessed two events that were revelations for me.


The first was a brief conversation I had with one of our public school teachers. She commented to me that she wasn’t sure why Hillsboro’s schools close when “there’s nobody here to celebrate (the event).”


From the context and tone, I interpreted her words to say that today’s holiday was for African Americans and that European Americans have nothing to celebrate in King’s legacy.


I think the schools could better honor King’s legacy and memory by staying in session and dedicating the day-or more-to studying the history of racism in America, King’s nonviolent action for social change and the ongoing struggle for equal rights.


Efforts to increase each individual’s awareness and understanding of race issues are particularly important in communities like Hillsboro that are nearly racially homogenous.


Any additional time on these topics and others related to diversity awareness could help.


The second event was a conversation I overheard in one of our local grocery stores. A patron shared with one of the store’s managers the patron’s experience of the holiday. His sarcastic tone disappointed me.


He had another surprise to offer. He intimated to the manager that he was “more thankful for the guy who shot (King)” than he was for King. I was stunned and angered. I didn’t know what to say. I failed my conscience miserably when I quietly walked away with my purchase.


That’s how I celebrated the memory of one of my heroes. With a cowardly heart I twice walked away from the ignorance and hatred that took the life of a man who would not strike back, a man who followed Christ’s model by seeking justice without violence.


Forgive me, Martin.


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