MLK Jr. Day: A Time For Reflection, Not Retail

It's extremely rare that a company, store, or other establishment does something that bothers me so much that I will boycott, or refuse to visit the location.

I've seen several things this weekend though that simply have me confused, shaking my head, and wondering what they are thinking.

One of my very favorite clothing stores has been bombarding me with e-mails all weekend proclaiming the extensive deals they have with their '5-day MLK Weekend Sale.'

Last I checked, today isn't supposed to be about celebrating the purchase of a discounted sweater.

Today we are supposed to celebrate, or at the very least acknowledge the birth of a man who led the Civil Rights movement of the '60s and proved the power of activism and non-violent protest.

He was a man who taught us to dream of a different and better world...not because we got pants on sale, but because are treating each other with respect, no matter what our background, race, creed, or otherwise.

In a world where religious wars are prevalent, two consenting, loving adults often cannot get married because they are the same gender, and children are committing suicide because they are being tormented by others, it seems we have a lot of work to do.

If you have off today, use the time to do something good. It can be something as small putting your phone away when you are talking to someone else, be it a friend, your child, or the cashier at the grocery store.

Let someone go ahead of you in line. Smile at a stranger. Pay for someone's coffee.

Be kind to someone today. Give others the respect you wish to receive.

Bring the dream of a better world one step closer to reality.

Had that store e-mailed me about how they were donating to a civil rights charity for every dollar spent in their store today, I'd probably stop in after work to buy something. To simply tie this day to a sale though seemed tasteless and inappropriate. (Memorial Day sales are no better.)

How do you feel about 'MLK Day sales'? Tell us in the comment section below!