Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a celebration to kick off Black History month, which is February. Unfortunately, it seems that this day has truly become one that government employees and students cherish only because it is one less day of work or school.

My biggest issue with this day is that Americans do not truly appreciate and embrace this day. Jan. 19 is not just a day that we go out and watch the new civil rights movie, nor is it a day for just participating in events that celebrate the day. Jan. 19 is a day that marks how far America has come and still needs to go when it comes to racial equality. Jan. 19 is a day all things related to civil rights should be recognized, and not just the common people that are spoken of, such as King and Rosa Parks.

There is more to civil rights than just those two people. Sadly, most people are unaware of what the significance of this day is, or other participants in the civil rights movement. Something that is even more sad is that kids are not being taught and reminded of the day’s significance. If kids are being taught about this, the teaching stops after seventh grade, and what is taught is minuscule and only the bare minimum. We are deemed to repeat history if we are not taught it.

Jan. 19 is surrounded by an idea that should be celebrated every day of the year. America should embrace the people that fought for equality, by teaching others about Malcolm X, Thurgood Marshall, Ruby Bridges, Ida B. Wells and the many other contributors that fought for a better America.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be taken more seriously, and have a higher purpose within the U.S. than just an extra day off. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was not solely made as a result of his accomplishments; Coretta Scott King had to fight to get her husband a day to be recognized. We should take a moment to actually appreciate and take notice of all the work that he and many others accomplished.