MLK Day Should Be Used to Promote Tolerance and Brotherhood

Tomorrow is the federal holiday in America to celebrate the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. To some, it is a day off of work. To others, it is time to deeply think about where we've come as a country and how much further we have to go to eradicate intolerance.

This past year, more than most, I have been thinking and dealing with the issues surrounding diversity and tolerance because they have affected me in intimate ways on-line and in the "real world". In this search for more understanding between individuals, it is appropriate to use the MLK holiday as a time to read his speeches and think about how one can use his words to increase respect among all individuals.

Rev. King's acts during his lifetime not only helped African-Americans self-actualize and further integrate themselves within American society; his teachings promoted the tenets of peace in a troubled world. We, as Americans, have a debt to pay to the civil rights leader, especially when the events of 9/11 has brought to the forefront increasingly uncomfortable issues that the United States still hasn't dealt with.

In the present day, we still have to deal with the negativity attached to nationalism and patriotism openly promoted by the Bush Presidency. Single-handedly, the policies endorsed by the current Administration did more to hurt and divide the country than anything else. By using the theory of Terror Threat Management and fear, Americans are often found looking over their shoulder and scrutinizing their neighbors in every little way. It has even gotten to the point that due to issues of "national safety", anyone is suspect.

This is not how America ought to be. It should be remembered that all of us, no matter what heritage or background, should be treated decently and humanely. However, the increasing lack of respect and civility that has been fostered due to social and political opinions has become the order of the day. This ill will should be stopped. Efforts must be made to learn about each other and to begin employing strategies to stop the utter ignorance that intolerance brings.

It's been said in a lot of ways, but I'll repeat it here: change begins with us as individuals.

That means using MLK Day as a time to get to know your neighbors, to ask about what you can do to promote peace and understanding as well as to work on healing a nation rife with misunderstanding when it comes to different cultures. It also conveys that one should not stay silent when it comes to intolerance; it is time to break past crystallized attitudes and rewrite the thought patterns that have unwittingly undermined togetherness.

Some might think that to stop talking about the issues of intolerance will eradicate it. That is precisely the problem. If people are not willing to confront their own attitudes on a daily basis, then we are in definite trouble. The silence must be stopped. Instead, discussions--no matter how emotional--must continue. I believe that conversations about the state of society when it comes to diversity have to be approached even when it hard to speak about. Because it is so personal and emotional, talks about the legacy of civil rights and diversity are often excitable.

(Heck, I ought to know from my past experiences as a poster.)

However, when trying to be more understanding of others, one must be brave. Rev. King took that first step. We should also summon our courage and reach out. If we don't, we build walls instead of tear them down.

If anything, this is a critical time to take a stand. America is in dire need for people to be concerned about one another. We cannot afford to be cynical or tired of discussing diversity when it continues to shape the policies in our nation and the rest of the world.