"A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan."
Well, here we are in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twelve preparing to observe a federal holiday. This is the only federal holiday that celebrates civil liberties, no holiday has been set up exclusively for the Bill Of Rights nor do we take time off to observe ‘Constitution Day’ which is on September 17th . All the other holidays observe the New Year, Presidents, Americas discovery, Americas founding, Veterans living and dead (and most rightfully so), Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Today the rights of the citizen are under assault by corporations, the government and the very wealthy one percent who hold 50% of the world’s assets real or imagined. We have had protests in all parts of the world, the Arab Spring, Libya, Syria and the Occupy Protests all around the United States give resonance to the words of Dr. King, “A riot is the language of the unheard.”
How do we celebrate this day? We could just go to the movies, take in a Broadway show or do something profound for the benefit of our own heart and/or our own soul. We could go visit the grave of someone who died in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s or lived fighting quietly for civil rights during the 50’s and 60’s. It would be a good thing to remember those who never lived to see the day a man who was not white, not rich and not ‘a good ol’ boy, was elected President of the United States.
No matter what you choose to do, or not do, just don’t sit on your backside. Don’t observe this day because of the man who lived making Civil Rights, Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights mean something other than a civics lesson in grade school but the expression of your right to be free. Gay marriage, gay rights, women’ equal pay legislation and the American Disability Act were all the offspring of the Civil Rights Movement.
This day was bought not just with the assassination of a man, but the beatings, humiliation and sufferings of more Americans of Anglo-Saxon descent than African ancestry. Many of the changes taking place in America are because of the simple acts of decent people and not the sweeping legislation of niggardly and intransigent congresspersons who do what their lobbyists tell them. Dr. King put this all in proper perspective…
“The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding.
Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee -- the cry is always the same: We want to be free."
That about puts it in a nutshell; live free. Live as free as you can on the Martin Luther King holiday. If you haven’t found something to live for, that is, to give your life’s work for or dedicate yourself to, then find it. To go from wanting to be free to being free, life and living must have its meaning. So find that meaning for yourself. As Dr. King said, not John Wayne, but Dr. King, "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."
So what do we do on the MLK Holiday Weekend? Here are some secular ideas…
Pep & The Soul Explosion Band
Date: January 12, 2012 ¦ Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
River House Grille
Freeport, NY
Single To Mingle Dance Party
Date: January 12, 2012 ¦ Time: 8:00pm
Antonette's Restaurant
Bellmore, NY
Presented by Wilshire Comedy GroupComedy Night At Randazzo's Restaurant
Date: January 14, 2012
Time: 7:00pm
Dinner And Comedy Show Featuring 3 Top Comedians. Dinner And Show Only $25.95pp Includes Unlimited Soda, Tax And Tip. Cash Bar Available With $3 Beers, $4 Wine And $5 For Mixed Drinks. Limited Seating. Reservations Must Be Paid In Advance By Calling (631) 331-7437.
Where: 1879 Route 112 Coram, NY 631-331-7437
Admission: $25.95
George Lopez Tickets
Fri, Jan. 13th, 2012 08:00 PM
NYCB Theatre at Westbury (Westbury, NY)
Seal Cruise 2012
Presented by Riverhead Foundation For
Marine Research And Preservation
Date: January 14, 2012
Time: 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Join The Riverhead Aboard The Captain Lou Fleet To View Winter Harbor Seal Populations Throughout Hempstead Bay. A Naturalist Will Be On Board To Discuss Biology And Behavior Of Seals And Other Marine Life Encountered. Reservations are required. You can make your reservation online at our website. A 50% minimum deposit is required upon making reservations.There is a 48 hour cancellation policy - NO REFUNDS.
Boarding time: 12:30pm. All sailing departures are at 1:00pm. The schedule is tentative and subject to change through April 15, 2012. In case of inclement weather, please contact the Riverhead Foundation.
All proceeds support the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program For more information or to make reservations, please call 631-369-9840 or visit our website.
Where:
Captain Lou's Fleet
28A Woodcleft Avenue
Freeport, NY
631-369-9840
Admission: Adults: $24.00, Seniors (65+): $21.00, Children (3-12): $19.00, Under 3: FREE, Group (15+): $18.00
Get off your Ass and Go Somewhere!
RJ
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