MLK Music

Today is a day celebrating the birthday of one of the most influential Americans to have ever lived. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who lived, fought, and died to create a world where the differences between us would no longer matter. Always the modest servant leader King made a request that at his funeral no mention of his awards and honors be made, but that it be said that he tried to "feed the hungry", "clothe the naked", "be right on the [Vietnam] war question", and "love and serve humanity". He was a great man, and still to this day is an inspiration to each of us who will take up the banner of justice.

Though we have been celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day day off from school for as long as most students can remember, most are probably unaware of the battle that was waged to have it be established as a national holiday. A bill to establish King’s birthday, Jan. 15, as a national holiday was twice introduced to Congress, only passing the second time. Illinois, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, had already established state-wide holidays commemorating the King’s birth, but the Southern Christian Leadership Conference throughly acquired 3 million signatures in order to convince the government to make the day the national holiday we know now. The first attempt stalled in Congress for eight years until it received the support of President Jimmy Carter, though even with the president behind it the bill was ultimately defeated in the House by five votes.

King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, was not deterred. She worked the political angle, garnering the support of governors and mayors across the country. In 1980, singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder brought his talents to the cause; his song “Happy Birthday” motivated the public support for the holiday to be made national. With 6 million signatures in favor of the holiday, the second bill was passed by the House but faced an even tougher fight in the Senate.

Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in November 1983 by President Reagan, though it was not officially celebrated until 1986. Even then, the holiday was not celebrated by all states under that name. A flurry of protests through the decade followed, one of the most famous being the moving of Super Bowl XXVII from Arizona to California. You know that something is of Earth shattering importance when they move the Super Bowl. Only in recent memory have all 50 states celebrated the holiday, the first time being in 2000. This year marks the first decade in which all 50 states have equally celebrated the life of this great disciple of peace.

So I will leave you with some lyrics of that important song that Stevie Wonder created to protest. Never stop writing, singing, and being for what you believe in!

Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
all throughout the world

The time is overdue
For people like me and you
You know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of
all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can

Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder