Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 30 January 2003 — Page 2

Page 2 • The Muncie Times • January 30, 2003

EDITORIAL King Day challenges us to do more to improve our world

If it's January then it must be time to focus on federally mandated King Day—as in memory of the late civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Although it is not fair to others to personalize the activities, impact and successes of the Civil Rights Movement, one would be hard pressed to find any one who would not acknowledge the stellar position that Dr. King occupied from the mid1950s up to the time of his April 1968 assassination. So as we pause to honor his memory and his numerous contributions to make the United States of America (and the world for that matter), let us also ask ourselves what we can do to make his dream of a free, multicultural and multiracial

The Muncie Times accepts and publishes “Letters to the Editor" under the following conditions: •The letter must indicate the writer’s name, address and phone number where the writer can be reached during the day. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. •If the writer wishes the letter to be published under a pseudonym, that wish will be honored.

America a reality. It is a dream that awaits realization, almost 35 years after his untimely death. All federal buildings will close Jan. 20 in honor of Dr. King's birthday. So will most state, country, parish and city offices across the country. So will some commercial establishments. And so will many schools, including Muncie and Delaware facilities and, for the second year in a row. Ball State University. As we observe his holiday birthday, it is not enough merely to take advantage of the day off and think of it as an opportunity to sleep late, stay home or enjoy a 3-day winter holiday weekend. The King Day holidays should be a time for reflection and

However, the writer’s full particulars must be included in the letter along with the suggested psedonym. •Letters must be brief, preferably no more than 300 words long and should, if possible, be typed and doublespaced. Hand-written letters will also be accepted. •The editor reserves the right to edit all letters for brevity, accuracy, taste, grammer and

introspection. To make this a better and more peaceful world requires that each of us should play a part. We cannot afford the luxury of being spectators. We have to be prepared to roll our sleeves and get involved, even if this means getting down and dirty. Creating a more united, multiracial and multicultural country, one where freedom, equality and equal opportunities reign supreme is a challenge facing all of us--not just the underprivileged, underserved or those who have been the victims of biases, prejudices and racial discrimination. When good people see injustice, segregation, inequality and unfairness and refuse to do anything to change those circumstances,

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they become accomplices in the crimes being committed. They become traveling companions of the perpetrators. They help create conditions that perpetuate injustices, inequalities, racial and ethnic tensions. Organizers of the King Day celebration have said this should be "A day of, not a Day off." By that they mean we should use this as a day to do good deeds to help others, not just as a day off from our routine activities. We are not being given an opportunity to spend the day malingering at home, in saloons or engaging in other unproductive social activities. Instead, we should use it as a day to do good things that will help ease the burden, the suffering of those who are less privileged than we are or those who have less than we do. We should think of the homeless, those in our prisons and jails, those who have nothing to eat, children whose lives are harsh and brutish, those who have been marginalized by society. There are many such people in our midst in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana, across the United States and across the world. That is the message that Dr. King preached. He cared little about his own personal comfort. He did not worry about taking care of himself, his wife and his children. Here was a man who, because of his birth, background and education could have led a successful and comfortable life. Instead, he eschewed that because of his concern for the welfare of his less fortunate brothers and

sisters. He chose to be a healer, a comforter, a bringer of hope. He refused to be a sideline spectator. It was not his nature to ignore injustice. He advocated racial and ethnic reconciliation, as he boldly and fearlessly led the assault against fear, prejudice and racial and ethnic discrimination. Although we have not reached racial equality and multiracial brotherhood and sisterhood, the United States is a better place today because of the many sacrifices made by Dr. King and others like him. That's why it is vital that we should not rest until his dream of a United States of America where people of all races and ethnicities will live peacefully and happily side by side is realized. Anything less would be a betrayal of this noble and gentle person's dreams and hopes. King Day is a good time to pick up the cudgels and move forward in a relentless effort to create a new and better America. That's what King Day should mean to all of us—a chance to help improve our world, instead of waiting for others to do it for us. The Muncie Times Appreciates Your Support And Your Business! If You Have Any Comments, Or Questions, Please Call Us At 741-0037

MUNCIE TIMES STAFF Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor John T. Lambkun Advertising Bea Moten-Foster Layout Patty King Typesetting J.D. Shinn Contributors: T.S. Kumbula, Shante Scott, Geri Rosales, Barbara Namwawa, J.D. Shinn

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