Yup. I’ll be in on Monday
A recent conversation I had:
(Me): Soooo….what’s going on for Monday? Are we still coming in? Federal holiday?
(Them) **Looks puzzled.**
(Them) **Suddenly tunes in to what is being said.**
(Them) Yeah. No. We have work Monday.
(Me) Alright. Just checking.
And thus the way it has been for the last 4 years in the working world. Depending on what industry you work in, the federal holiday of Martin Luther King’s birthday isn’t recognized as a paid day off. As a ybp, I’ve taken this reality in stride, keeping in the back of my mind its significance and giving thanks to God for being able to utilize the fruits of his legacy, day-in and day-out.
But it still begs the question: Do employers really care about observing the Martin Luther King holiday?
I guess it could be said that because it is ‘near’ Christmas vacation, it seems inefficient and damaging to break the momentum that was built up the past few weeks. It could also be said that even though their financial and government business can’t be executed, private business transactions can…and if Company A is open, so will Company B. Besides, they could always make their deposits and file their papers the following day, right? I mean, what is the big deal?
I mean, I get it…but I don’t get it.
Our country has recognized an individual of unprecedented importance in our history. The foundation and root of being American lies in the stories and journeys of his life. Most presidents don’t even have the mandated observance this man has. He is the first civilian to have a monument on the Mall in Washington D.C., the executive epicenter of this great nation. I mean, think about it. The greatest country on the planet that provides means and opportunity for all walks of life to flourish, including private business, has put into law the recognition of his day of birth.
Even more so, I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for his aptitude, courage, candor, and faith.
While I won’t say I’m offended, I will say it gives me pause. It should for you as well.
Then again, that is what Monday is all about.
hilarious 
For goodness sake, it is only a game. Up until now, Resident Evil games have always been violent. There was ...
Awww, that photo is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! :) 
All of you have the right idea about this word ''Nigger''but it has been so publicised that there is no ...
The business plan is most important in starting a business. It will also help if you started a business ...
IN FORBIDDEN SIREN YOU HAVE TO KILL ASIANS AND RESIDENT EVIL IS RACISM? Sorry but you guys are very very ...
My beautiful nephew! Much congrats Kim and Fredric...welcome to parenthood! 
@Asha
Everything is a product of the web design firm Bright Plum, although we did elicit some help from a talented ...
Wonderful entry. I happen to be familiar with a profession that is regarded very highly, but if people knew ...
Congrats Fred! So cute... 
Comment by Anjuan on 19 January 2008:
I was recently thinking about how hard it still is for Non-black people to understand what it is like to be a Black person. Your post perfectly captured that difficulty both between individuals and within corporations. In ten decades of working as a consultant in information technology, I have only had MLK Day off when the client observers the holiday. And that has happened only once or twice. That is indicative of how companies (that are still overwhelmingly white especially at the executive levels) truly view Dr. King’s legacy.
Comment by Demetrius Pinder on 19 January 2008:
As the owner of a black owned web design/computer repair company, RiDE Group, LLC will ALWAYS have MLK Day off!
Comment by Martin Lindsey on 20 January 2008:
It’s simply a difference between government and private industry as you mentioned. No private industry takes all the holidays like government does and all private entities pick and choose the holidays they do and don’t observe. It’s different for all of them.
Comment by ETS on 20 January 2008:
I never got MLK Day off until moving to Arizona - a state that didn’t recognize the day until 2000. Go figure. And I work in the media - an industry that would probably keep me in the office during the Rapture if they had the power.
The issue is a much bigger one. It’s about the mainstream not understanding that the fight for equality is not a “black” fight or a “female” issue. It’s a PEOPLE issue. They still think MLK Day is a “black” holiday. Its so sad, because that thought process proves the necessity of the day.
King himself said, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
I know many blacks who choose to work that day to show their support of the Day. They believe they have jobs that they wouldn’t have been able to have had it not been for King and folks like them, so they honor him by working them.
But as for me and my house ….. we will NOT be in the office! LOL. Seriously taking the day off in honor of all of my ancestors who didn’t have any days of rest on the plantation and hell, … in their offices now!
Comment by Demetrius Pinder on 20 January 2008:
If you’re a black owned business, I say that we honor MLK Day by declaring that black owned businesses are closed on MLK Day. I even set my email to the following:
“In observance of MLK Day, RiDE Group, LLC will be closed on Monday, January 21st. If it’s an emergency, please send a email with the word “EMERGENCY” with the title of your email.
Thanks,
Demetrius Pinder”
If it wasn’t for MLK, I wouldn’t be where I am today! Especially for my generation (I am 27), we are TRULY reaping the benefits of his struggle and fight!