By SARA BRUECK
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day that many view as little more than a day off of school or work. However, for some members of BYU’s Black Student Union, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an integral part of their culture.
“It’s almost like a personal thing,” said Regina Sanders, 20, a junior from Aiken, South Carolina, majoring in youth leadership. “After you’ve been into it a long time it becomes very important.”
Sanders said observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was a big deal in the South. It was a day filled with many programs, speakers, spirituals and activities honoring King. “It was about being together and enjoying each other’s company,” She said.
Ebony Keith, 21, a senior from Wildwood, New Jersey, majoring in psychology, said she agrees.
“In the South it’s a really big deal. It’s mostly a family day,” she said. “In other places I’ve lived it was more of a free day.”
Aaron Alton, 22, a sophomore from Sandy, Utah, majoring in English teaching, said that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has traditionally been quiet in Utah.
“I’ve lived in Utah since I was about 12,” he said. “To me it was just kind of a lightly mentioned holiday. There are just not as many people talking about it.”
Individual observances of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day vary as much as regional observances do. Sanders said she attended religious services dedicated to King’s memory with her family. Keith said her family used Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day of reflection.
“I just remember sitting down with my mom and talking about what it was like when (King’s) words were needed,” Keith said. “It helped me understand not just where we’ve been, but where we are going.”
For a few years, Alton said he celebrated the holiday by attending the annual NAACP luncheon in Salt Lake City with his mom, but for him it was usually a quiet holiday.
All of them feel the deep feelings they have about the holiday comes from the common heritage they have with King. Alton said he understands why people in Utah are generally quiet about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
“Most people in Utah don’t have a personal relationship with Martin Luther King, Jr.,” he said. “To them he’s just a guy who did something good.”
He agreed that observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the South is similar to observance of Pioneer Day in Utah. “I think that’s a good analogy,” he said.
Sanders said she feels people at BYU have become more aware of the holiday over the past couple of years. It is one of her goals to continue broaden people’s knowledge of this part of her culture.
“This is our culture – we want to share it with you so we can better work together to appreciate others’ differences,” Sanders said. “Before you can go and expect people to understand your culture, you have to teach them, answer their questions and satisfy their curiosity.”
