Civil Rights Issues Today Healthcare Inequities and Mass Incarceration

Diversity Inc: Reflecting on MLK Day—Article Summary

The article “Reflecting on the History of MLK Day” by DiversityInc Contributer (2023) discusses the history of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was established in the US to honor the civil rights leader and his legacy. The article begins by discussing the background of MLK, how he came from humble origins, and how he went on to be revered around the world before being assassinated. It then moves on to the topic of memorializing MLK with his own national holiday. This is the main point of the article, which is that there is a lesson in the story of how King received his own day.

The article states for instance that it was not easy for recognition to be gained: “It took 15 years of lobbying to get the U.S. Congress to establish MLK Day, which finally became an official holiday in 1986” (DiversityInc Contributor, 2023). However, while the holiday was first observed in 1986, after years of advocacy by civil rights groups and other activists, it was not until 2000 that all states observed it. Yet even then, states like Alabama and Mississippi combined King’s day with Robert E. Lee’s day, making it a King-Lee day. The article also calls out Virginia for making it a King-Lee-Stonewall Jackson day up until 2000. The point here is that even though MLK got his holiday, there was still clearly some prejudice in some parts of the US regarding its observance.

Finally, the article mentions some special things that companies like PwC, AT&T, TD Bank have done to observe MLK Day. This things have included promoting economic equality and fighting poverty that disproportionately affects black communities. PwC, the article notes, has used MLK Day to raise awareness about food insecurity, which harms black communities, for instance.

Finally, the article highlights the importance of reflecting on the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equity, and notes that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. The author emphasizes the need for continued activism and engagement to build a more inclusive and equitable society. Thus, the last section of the article is sub-titled “Engaging in Civil Rights Issues Today” and here it talks about areas in society where civil rights problems persist. Of mention are healthcare inequities, women’s rights, attacks on Asians, poverty rates, and mass incarceration. Of those mentioned, it is mass incarceration that receives the most attention, since “police incarcerate Black Americans at five times the rate of white Americans” and “in some states, it’s much higher. For example, a Black person in New Jersey is 12.5 times more likely to be imprisoned than a white person.” Clearly, there is room for action.