King ideals change nation
Staff Editorial
The Arkansas Traveller
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.
Monday morning many students will sleep late, lounge around, catch episodes of soap operas or talk shows and spend the day taking a break from the return of school commitments.
However, for more than 34 million African-Americans in the United States, Monday will be a day to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and his work in civil rights. Members of the African-American population are not the only citizens of this nation who should be concerned about freedom, though.
With the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, and the resulting U.S. war on terrorism, citizens have felt the threat of losing their freedom. The terrorist attacks that day made all Americans feel alienated and lost in their own country. People were not sure what to do, how to react or where to turn for help.
One of the most powerful and respected nations in the world suddenly had its civil rights threatened by a group of terrorists.
However, this attack has united the country in many ways. People of all races came together through their suffering and the ensuing period of recovery. They continue to unite in the battle against future attacks. The sense of patriotism in this country rose dramatically with merchants finding their stock of American flags insufficient to cover the fanatical demand that the attacks inspired.
So on a day when Americans can once again unite under the idea of celebrating unity and triumph over oppression, why would anyone choose to overlook the occasion as just a chance for a three-day weekend?
Instead, it is time to take a walk in King's shoes and reach out to help fellow Americans. King once said, "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
So when Monday morning rolls around, take a moment to think about what you can do to help, and spend the rest of the day doing it, honoring King's memory in the process. But remember that to be effective, humanity and civility cannot be turned off at the end of the day. They must persist all year in every action, every word and every deed. Only then can the nation truly be united.
King knew it would take time to change attitudes, to truly bring this great nation together. And now, more than 30 years after his death, it seems the time has come.
This editorial first appeared in the University of Arkansas's newspaper, The Arkansas Traveller, on Jan. 18, and is reprinted here courtesy of U-WIRE.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, January 22, 2002
