Make holiday meaningful

As he was about so many things, again, Dr. King was right in stating that the way out of poverty for many young black people is education. Here’s an idea that really should grow some legs.

Who besides a few minorities and politicians spend any time at all thinking of Dr. M. L. King on his holiday every January? Most everyone enjoys the day off to go shopping, skiing or whatever happens to suit their fancy. Not a thought of Dr. King and the noble things he aspired to for the African-American people.

Now, if the holiday were turned into a work holiday in which everyone who gets the day off now (government, banks, etc.) had to go to work, but were required to donate their day’s pay to the United Negro College Fund, two things would be accomplished.

1. Hundreds of millions of dollars would flow into the UNCF, thus helping many deserving young people get a quality education, and

2. Millions of people who now don’t give the day a second thought would be reminded all day what the holiday was all about. And yes, they would think about it.

Will it ever happen? Don’t hold your breath.

H. Duane Brown

Otis Orchards