Although his actual birthday was yesterday, the observance is today, a federal Monday holiday. Here in Chicago the picture is sort of varied: government offices and banks are closed; most businesses are opened. It’s basically one of Chicago’s ethnic holidays, one for each of Chicago’s major ethnic groups: MLK Day for African Americans, St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish, Pulaski Day for the Poles, and Columbus Day for Italians. Has Cinco de Mayo achieved that status in Chicago yet? Certainly some Mexican holiday will considering the growing influence of Chicago’s Hispanic population.
Like last year I don’t have a great deal to add. That hasn’t stopped others who have posted on the subject, mostly with great vapidity. An exception is Angela Winters’s excellent post which includes a media round-up. I’ll include links to any other posts with real merit that I locate in my travels.
blackprof.com has a good post on Dr. King’s global legacy.
