The Online Reflector

Martin Luther King Day is no less important than any of the other national holidays, yet it is the only one that The University of Indianapolis doesn’t cancel classes for.

UIndy should recognize MLK Day as the monumental national holiday that it is in honor of a man who made history, whether it is through canceling classes and requiring students to recognize him together, or dismissing the entire school day for students to celebrate in their own way.
The Reflector editorial staff provides their insight below.

ADRIAN
KENDRICK
The campaign for a federal holiday in Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor began soon after his assassination. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

It’s remarkable that as recently as 2000 all states gave honor to whom honor was due, and it shows America still has a ways to go towards combating against racism. How can we not celebrate a man that stood up to be seen and spoke up to be heard during the most racial times in America?

It is commendable that UIndy is attempting to educate students on MLK Day, but it’s not appreciated when it’s not required. Either it should be mandatory for all students to attend a celebration in honor of King together at UIndy, or we should be allotted the day off. Being educated on such an important day is not the problem.

However, it is an issue that students may be going just for LP Credit.As a result, they are missing the totality and significance of the dedicated day.

JACKI
DILLMAN
Educating the young minds of America was a pinnacle in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s stance on race issues. He advocated learning as the only way ignorance and intolerance could be overcome. The University of Indianapolis and its decision to honor Dr. King’s feelings on education by holding school on Martin Luther King Day is not only admirable, but should be held as an example to other colleges and universities.

Although UIndy’s lack of participation in MLK Day could be interpreted with negative connotations by those who don’t understand the reasons for the decisions, when explained they make immediate and complete sense.
Dr. King would be proud that UIndy has decided to honor his memory in a way that is so central to the ideals he believed.

SARAH
HAEFNER
It is understandable that the university takes the stance of preserving Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy regarding the imperative nature of education.

However, cutting classes short by 10 minutes and providing a non-compulsory event that students aren’t even required to attend not only interferes with our education as professors scramble to fit their lessons in, but sends the message that this day is not something that all students should take to reflect on the advancements and progress King encouraged during a tumultuous time in U.S. history.

Many individuals on campus did not attend the celebration held on Jan. 18 this year simply because they did not have to and because the day progressed like any other day with a slight schedule change, there was no emphasis on King’s influential work.

It appears that the university is attempting to make everyone happy and only managing to make no one happy. Either make the celebration a compulsory event or give students the time to reflect on King’s work on their own terms.

STACI
REAFSNYDER
Martin Luther King Jr. was someone of great impact in our world in other words, if he hadn’t been alive, our world wouldn’t be what it’s like today. His legacy is one that should be honored with the right for students to be able to recognize him in their own way.

But, instead, UIndy makes it’s students attend classes on a day that we are supposed to be remembering someone.

Tell me, exactly, how is a student supposed to remember this person if they are stuck in class for 40 minutes cramming facts into their head? MLK Day is one of those days that should be celebrated, yes, but we really should go about doing it so that student’s are able to remember him without a modified class schedule and lectures getting in the way.

MICAH
MCVICKER
I advocate having school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I believe it’s something Dr. King would have wanted. He earned his Ph.D., relevant because Dr. King fought for equality in nonviolent ways. Knowledge is power. While it’s cliché, it’s invariably an effective way to combat the status quo without the use of force or violence.

Ultimately, I believe the best way to honor Dr. King’s memory is to continue in our endeavors academically on his holiday.

STEPHANIE
SNAY
Many people fought to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday. On King’s first birthday following his assassination, 60 automotive workers in North Tarrytown, N.Y., were threatened with suspension after taking the day off.

A few days later, more than 1,200 people walked off the job, and General Motors decided to back down. In the years to come, many labor unions followed suit.

On Aug. 2, 1983, the bill to make MLK Day a national holiday passed by the U.S. House. It was then approved by Senate on Oct. 19 and President Reagan signed the law on Nov. 3.

To not take the day off is devaluing not only those who fought to make it a national holiday, but the man who fought to make the world we live in a better place.

ANNE
TOLIVER
I believe that UIndy remains open on MLK Day because the school wants to commemorate the lessons of Dr. King and the value he put on education. While this is a noble idea, it fails to impact students at school.

I, along with many others, am frustrated at the altered schedule to deal with at the beginning of a new semester. The reason behind the day is lost due to this frustration at the schedule and that all other public institutions are closed for the day. The question arises, “Why do we have classes on MLK Day?”

The few students who attend the afternoon ceremony, and the even fewer who remain awake and off of cell phones, may know the answer.

I think that we should get the day off and the university should try and find another way of focusing on Dr. King’s message.

DAN
DICK
I don’t really think coming to class on Dr. King day is such a hassle. King and many others struggled for generations to our civil rights. I am proud to go to a school that celebrates a man who fought injustice with his words and changed America.