Holiday For A Hero

Earl Ofari Hutchinson

January 17, 2005

Hutchinson revisits the ugly history around the creation of the MLK holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill reluctantly—concerned about King's alleged communist affiliations. Today, fewer than 30 percent of Americans receive a paid holiday to recognize Dr. King's birthday. Part of the reason for that—argues Hutchinson—is that many Americans are fundamentally uncomfortable with some of King's ideas.