COLUMN: Equal Treatment For All?
In the South they call it Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and in the West they call it Human Rights Day.
This probably would have escaped my attention like many other people who live in the West, but I’m a southern peach I guess you could say. I spent middle school and high school in Atlanta, Ga., and grew to love it.
Coming to Utah State University and experiencing life in a “Mormon town” I could probably go on about the differences in people’s attitudes, expectations and the acceptance level between the South and the West. I like Utah, no doubt, but there are abundant differences.
OK, let’s stick to one issue having nothing to do with the South versus the West.
Ever heard of Ken Hamblin? He’s a conservative African American living in America and telling his point of view as a noted radio talk show host and novelist on the status of what he calls “the black myth.” He believes in the American dream, and that anyone can seize it no matter their color.
According to his biography at Copy Ed 1/22/02 different than below www.hamblin.com, he believes the word “black trash” means “if there’s white trash, then it follows that there can be black trash. The difference is that we’ve allowed this sick culture of gangsta rap, drugs, gangs and welfare to be glorified by some as the only ‘authentic’ black American culture,” he said.
What does this have to do with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?
Look at it from this perspective. Is there a national Spanish day, Native American day or even a Caucasian day?
The American government is so concerned about equality and the ever-so-frightful event of actually offending someone that even Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been turned into Human Rights Day in the West.
I do believe Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great man, and even inspired by God, but if the American government is so worried about offending people, then shouldn’t they create a day of celebration for every race in the country? That wouldn’t offend anyone. Right?
OK, I don’t think we should actually do that, but I’m just trying to point out in a nation so concerned about equality and being politically correct, we have somehow ignored the fact all races need to be acknowledged equally. Having a month like Black History Month devalues the importance of the history of every other race in America.
I am not against Black History Month, but I just think we need to evaluate the reasons we have it. Is it to remember the reasons we’re different or to celebrate equality in a land which might not be perfect, but every human has the right to the American dream.
I think Ken Hamblin says it best. According to www.hamblin.com, he “urges all Americans to return to the day when we were grateful for the good fortune of our accident of birth and when we joyously celebrated the successes and rewards brought about by pursuing the American Dream.”