When MLK Day first became a holiday, my dad (a community college history professor) argued that instead of a day off, the day should be organized around special lectures to educate the students on King and the civil rights movement. It's a wonderful teaching opportunity, so of course his idea was nixed in favor of a day off (and every year on a Monday, no less! What're the odds?). MLK Day is a vibrant illustration of America's tendency to sanctify with a holiday rather than honor in a concrete, tangible way. (Mother's Day is a particularly irksome example imo).
A friend of mine, who grew up around Highlander, said the Right started out with that billboard, saying that King was a Communist because he went to Highlander. Later on, they started saying Highlander was Communist because of King.
I skipped ahead to read it. A good mix of things I knew (Truman's desegregation order as a tipping point) and things I didn't (Silent&Boomer southern GOPers having served on Lost&GI Democrat/Dixiecrat staffs).
Kevin, would love to see this piece re-published in Florida university and high school newspapers. There are some Dem. State legislators introducing bills to fight back against the DeSantis war on history. They should introduce this article during hearings on the bill. 🤔 Meanwhile, not surprisingly, the FL GOP idiots are filling legislation to troll VP Harris. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/651109-florida-republicans-troll-kamala-harris-with-slavery-education-bill/
When MLK Day first became a holiday, my dad (a community college history professor) argued that instead of a day off, the day should be organized around special lectures to educate the students on King and the civil rights movement. It's a wonderful teaching opportunity, so of course his idea was nixed in favor of a day off (and every year on a Monday, no less! What're the odds?). MLK Day is a vibrant illustration of America's tendency to sanctify with a holiday rather than honor in a concrete, tangible way. (Mother's Day is a particularly irksome example imo).
Same as Labor Day, Memorial Day etc.
A friend of mine, who grew up around Highlander, said the Right started out with that billboard, saying that King was a Communist because he went to Highlander. Later on, they started saying Highlander was Communist because of King.
Okay, clearly time to resume my chapter-at-a-time read of Myth America at a brisker pace. I've not yet reached the Southern Strategy one.
Get crackin'
I skipped ahead to read it. A good mix of things I knew (Truman's desegregation order as a tipping point) and things I didn't (Silent&Boomer southern GOPers having served on Lost&GI Democrat/Dixiecrat staffs).
Kevin, would love to see this piece re-published in Florida university and high school newspapers. There are some Dem. State legislators introducing bills to fight back against the DeSantis war on history. They should introduce this article during hearings on the bill. 🤔 Meanwhile, not surprisingly, the FL GOP idiots are filling legislation to troll VP Harris. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/651109-florida-republicans-troll-kamala-harris-with-slavery-education-bill/