Martin Luther King Holiday

I disagree with the Rev. Lonnie Dawson, pastor of the New Mount Cavalry Baptist Church, that “we hope this (Dr. King’s birthday) will blossom into a national day, particularly for blacks . . . “ (Times, Jan. 21). The notion that Dr. King’s life and works are relevant to Afro-Americans only is probably responsible for the scarcity of members of other races and ethnic groups in his birthday celebration around the country.

Though other minorities haven’t suffered the degree of racism Afro-Americans have, they can now breathe easier because Martin Luther King Jr. passed this way. For instance, other non-whites can be found in positions today that were closed to them before the civil rights movement, as TV newscasters on non-ethnic networks for example. Also, the liberalization (racially) of this nation’s immigration laws was an outgrowth of the civil rights movement. The women’s and “gay” liberation movements also road the coattail of the struggle that Dr. King led.

There is also now more concern for the plight of the poor, of all colors. Author James Baldwin was right in his article (Editorial Pages, Jan. 21) in asserting: “Black freedom, will make white freedom possible.” In a larger sense, Dr. King’s life is relevant to all humanity.

SHELBY SANKORE

Phillips Ranch