An MLK Day reality check special

What Dr. King he did was historic as he not only changed America but he even changed most of the world and today is “a day on, not a day off” to promote his dream of racial equality for all people of color. The reality is the CNMI would look and be very different had it not been for Dr. King! The Civil Rights Movement was not just about Blacks but about all the people of color, which included the local population of Chamorros and Carolinians who would have gone to Black schools with me back in the day and be called the N-word.

MLK Day is not just for Black folks and it is my sincere hope and prayer that this day will one day be truly celebrated islandwide on the beaches or wherever people can gather in celebration because the Civil Rights Movement was for all people of color, especially the local people who benefited from the end result of the movement, which was the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The work and struggles of Dr. King and those in the Civil Rights Movement shouldn’t be forgotten and certainly shouldn’t be taken for granted as it’s still a day-on to keep his dream alive. There are many locals with African-American blood streaming through their families going back to the time when the first African whalers jumped ship in the 1800s, never to go back after seeing the beautiful long-haired women on the island of Saipan, so know and even honor your history, your ancestors and your family ties of today.

I am humbly and respectfully asking that every person, especially those of color, to try to do something to honor and commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on this day in the future, if it’s just a day on the beach. It shouldn’t be up to Ambrose or any small group because this day is about most of the people in the CNMI, especially those who appreciate and honor their American identity as a Chamorro-American, Carolinian-American, Palauan-American, Filipino-American, Chuukese-American and other American people of color here.

But I must offer my sincere kudos and thanks to Joeten—a great man whom I truly wish I got a chance to know—and his Joeten stores and family for being one of, if not the only business, that has continuously recognized MLK Day, so visit Joeten and take advantage of their sale. Thanks, Joeten. In the U.S. mainland there are all kinds of MLK Day races, cook-outs, sales and events that are even sponsored by city and municipal governments. The reality is our government, MVA, and the hotels do nothing for MLK Day, even though many locals do appreciate Dr. King. It’s been left up to a handful of Blacks on island, which needs to change. I can only pray that one day, it will be the same in the CNMI with MLK Day celebrations among the businesses and among the people on Luta, Tinian, and Saipan. Every person of color needs to own MLK Day and recognize the man who gave his life so that you could live your life on a more equal and level playing field because Dr. King made life a great deal better for all people of color in America and even throughout the world. My only question is: “Who will renew the MLK Day celebrations “and “If not now then when,” which is the same question I remember Dr. King posed in 1968 to me and others in the Memphis Chapter of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, challenging us to be real activist for the cause of equality, which I still honor today. We (the people who marched with Dr. King) are becoming an extinct breed and it’s time to pass the torch.

I’m also not just concerned with MLK Day, but there is Black History Month next and I’m wondering if the newspaper is going to voluntarily publish the events that recognize the only race in America for an entire month. Then there is Juneteenth coming, so someone must pick up these banners and carry the batons. I’m now 73 and it’s time for someone else to step up to the challenge to lead and organize celebrations on these all-important days. As my late great friend, Dr. Joyner, might say on this occasion, “Show Dr. King some love, CNMI.” So, I say again to all people of color in the CNMI, if not you (especially our leaders), then who and if not now, then when will you honor and thank Dr. King?

Happy MLK Day, CNMI, and please don’t forget the reality that Dr. King dedicated and gave his life for you (all people of color) to be treated equally in America and even throughout the world.

Ambrose M. Bennett

Kagman III, Saipan

As my late great friend, Dr. Joyner, might say on this occasion, “Show Dr. King some love, CNMI.”

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