Michael King writes:

Martin Luther King’s legacy is always the subject of much debate and deliberation at this time of year, when the national holiday to commemorate his birth takes place.

There are those who insist that it is not deserved, due to King’s activities that some consider to be subversive; there are others who look at it as an excuse and means to denigrate and verbally attack those who do not agree with them politically or socially; and there are those who simply look at it as an excuse for a day off work on the heels of the Christmas/New Year holiday timeframe.

Then there are those who look on this as a day of service — service to their home, to their community, to their way of life. Some participate by joining in commemorative services, some by reflective thought, some by serving their fellow man, and some – simply by partaking in the American Dream and going to work.

Read the whole thing.

Update: A moving essay from Joe Gandelman:

We Americans have a habit of celebrating a holiday by either taking the day off, complaining because the banks are closed, or doing lip service to it.

But today should be more than a day when banks are closed and kids don’t go to school and we just say a name.

Let’s remember what he did.

Remember what he sought.

Remember the example he gave us.

Remember that bright, internal spark that shined through.

And remember that we have that, too — and that perhaps on this day in 2005 we ought to rededicate ourselves to making sure that ours also shines through.