Monday, January 17, 2005

Daydream Believer

It's MLK day. Many have the day off. TinyTuna has no school.



I have to work.



TunaU students have no classes.

TunaU staff and faculty must report.



If I want to have a dream, I have to do it on my own time and not on my employer's nickel. Working for peace and equality will have to be squeezed in during lunch, on breaks, or after 5 pm.



I'll admit it. I think it stinks.



It's a funny thing about holidays. We all want them -- meaning we want the time off -- but for what purpose other than to sleep in and goof off? Active holiday participation tends to dwindle as the years pass because it seems as though these occasions hold no relevance in our lives today. Memorial Day, for example, used to be reserved for firing up the BBQ, going to a movie, and celebrating the start of summer. Now, because of our increased military presence oh say, EVERYWHERE, this national holiday has once again established itself as a sad but important remembrance of all those who gave their lives serving the country.



And don't even get me started on Columbus Day.



If I dared to dream on company time, I'd dream of a nation of people embracing the meaning behind this holiday and applying it 365 days a year instead of one. Celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shouldn't be like catching the 24-hour flu or watching a bad Kung-Fu movie. This is not the time for a "wake me when it's over" mentality.



My dream is that one day we'll wonder why we even have an MLK day. Not because we've forgotten the man and his work, but because we cannot remember a time when we didn't all live in a land of freedom, peace, and equality for all people.



That's not only a dream worth having. It's a dream worth sharing.

1 comment:

Melissa said...

I'm sorry you had to work yesterday, but I applaud the rest of your words.

--MissMeliss