The Black Republican

One of the things that happens when a new holiday takes root is that myths about the memorialized person or event are propagated. Another thing that happens is that the holiday becomes a call-to-arms for divergent views - especially views that run counter to the original intent of the founders or the opinions of the honoree. We can see this happening today in articles referring to MLK Day.

Probably the most ironic of the divergent views put forward yesterday comes from none other than Jesse Jackson, who would have us believe not an inch of progress has been made since 1963.

In Harrisonburg, Va., the Rev. Jesse Jackson said political leaders have been "romanticizing" King and taking his remarks out of context. He said a common misconception is that sentiments from King's "I Have a Dream" speech have been fulfilled, Jackson told a crowd of more than 1,000 at James Madison University.

"I was with him on his deathbed in Memphis," said Jackson. "These past years I have become more anxious -- and sometimes disturbed -- at the celebration of Dr. King's birthday and the romanticizing of his life."

That Jesse Jackson wouldn't want his meal ticket co-opted by anyone actually finding The Dream fulfilled goes without saying. But I find it hard to believe that Jackson could not foresee when he lobbied for the establishment of the holiday that people might actually say nice things about King on that day.

And it only took 48 hours after I wrote my last post to be told how wrong I was.