Martin Luther King, Jr. Day & Robert E. Lee Day

[Michelle in KC]

So there was a news story this morning on our local radio station that Rev. Al Sharpton is criticizing us in Arkansas for still celebrating Robert E. Lee day.

What's the big deal?? Seriously, our kids are in school today no matter who's day it is supposed to be. Banks are closed, City and State offices are closed. The rest of Mountain Home is open.

We aren't ignoring Martin luther King, Jr. day. We're not celebrating either man, it's just not a big holiday like Christmas or Easter.

Please, don't attack me because of this statement. I mean no harm or hurt for anyone. I just don't see what the big deal is that this Reverand has to attack Arkansans for this silly thing.

There are so many other things in the world we should be upset about that THIS in my opinion is not an issue.

Michelle.

[Cricketmk3]

Robert E. Lee's birthday is officially celebrated on MLK Jr day in Alabama & Mississippi as well as Arkansas. I don't know exactly why they are honored on the same day in these states but people can honor one or the other or both or neither. I believe Sharpton among others stir things up to keep their names in the paper.

[Claredale]

There are alot of people that say things like that and I have learned like Marilyn said, they just want to stir things up. Just like the Tiger Woods thing. He was in no way upset the sports announcer is even a good friend and apologized right away and Tiger didn't think a thing about it, but it still became a huge deal. It wasn't appropriate, but it wasn't said out of meanness in anyway, just a joke that anybody could say without thinking. That happens to the best of us sometimes!

T83