MLK Day more than simply a day off for some

It’s an extra morning to sleep in, an extra night to go out. It’s a break from academic turmoils, a day off work. It’s a time to socialize with friends, leaving stressful matters banished. This is Martin Luther King Jr. Day — at least for some students.

On a college campus, this preconceived notion may seem true. Political science professor Paul Abramson, for example, doesn’t see many students participating in activities.

Abramson understands how tempting it is for students to slack off on a free day that extends their weekend.

Michael Stamm, assistant professor in the history department and the journalism school, also notices the lack of involvement. But he believes the problem lies in the lack of fliers on MLK Day activities.

“My experience with teaching students at MSU is that they understand (Martin Luther King Jr.) and have an abiding admiration,” Stamm said. “I don’t think that with a lack of massive public gathering on the holiday you can say there’s a widespread apathy.”

Some students, like Nikhil Jaikumar, notice the indifference.

“People don’t really think about why it’s a national holiday or the legacy of MLK,” said Jaikumar, a crop and soil sciences graduate student. “Especially from some of the more controversial things he said about economic justice and the Vietnam War, people tend to forget parts of his legacy.”

Bryan Cotton, a media arts and technology senior and co-chairman of the Student Leadership Conference commemorative march, said that at first he believed many of his peers were apathetic. But as he continued to be involved with MLK events at MSU, he noticed students were collaborating with other organizations.

He said he personally continues to stay involved because it places him in the mind-set of King’s dream.

“I feel like Dr. King was serving the people,” Cotton said. “To really observe the holiday, you should be some kind of a servant.”

Brigid Sweeney, a psychology junior and co-chairwoman of Into The Streets, said students need to give back to the world. She believes more people will continue to unite as President-elect Barack Obama is in office, becoming one step closer to equality.

This year, Obama will be inaugurated the day after MLK Day. If there were ever a year for participation to grow, this would be it, Stamm said.

“It would seem very strange to not have a greater degree of public attention devoted to the holiday with an African American in office,” Stamm said. “Race was a big part of the campaign and Obama gave a very significant address on race.”

As Cotton said, “A piece of Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream is coming true.”