Martin Luther King Holiday

It was with great pride that I watched our country celebrate the first national holiday honoring. Martin Luther King Jr. As a white male who grew up during the ‘60s, I remembered watching on television the marches, the speeches and seeing the ugly confrontations between blacks and whites that occurred almost daily. I took so much for granted at the time, never having been discriminated against, never having to ride in the back of the bus, or using a separate and usually inadequate public restroom.

This is the first national holiday that I can truly relate to a personal memory of a man who only wanted equality and peace among all people no matter what their race or religion. This holiday truly represents America in all of her ideals and freedoms--just as the Fourth of July represents independence, Memorial Day our war dead, Labor Day the men and women who have worked to make our country strong, and days that honor our Presidents who were the leaders of a young nation needing guidance. All of these things were represented by Dr. King. I remember him, and am very lucky to have lived during his lifetime. I pray his “dream” truly will be realized by all Americans.

VALENTINE ZDILLA

Los Angeles