Is this being disrespectful to African Americans?

[luvmyfam444]

Here dance schools (actually all places, the pool,piano lessons karate) all follow the school calendar - if they are out in your area then close if not I wouldn't worrry about it

 

[DizBelle]

There are plenty of people of plenty of different races that respect Martin Luthor King. If it is disrespectful, it isn't only disrespectful to African Americans but to anyone that wants to celebrate his life and ideals.

FTR - I don't think it is disrespectful to keep business open on this day.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't think so. As long as you have a definite policy that isn't favoring or snubbing any one group I think it's fine, some holidays and events are National Holidays and some are not but they doesn't detract from their significance. The fact no-one closes up for 9/11 in no way makes the day less powerful for me and I am certain other groups, the Hindu's for example, aren't waiting around for store owners to say their Holy Days are valid either, KWIM. My point is, how important a day is to another person shouldn't be dependent upon other people's actions. I like the idea of giving students a floating holiday though so they aren't penalized for observances outside the Federal calendar.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I don't think it's disrespectful to stay open, although if you have a staff member of any race who recognizes that day by doing something specific (here many people use it as a "day of service" and do volunteer work that day -- a tradition I love), then I think you should allow them to take leave the same way you would if you were open for Yom Kippur or Good Friday.

Similarly, I don't know your make up policy, but I might consider it appropriate to clarify your make up policy at this point in this year -- can a family who chooses to stay home that day have their child come another day the same week?

FTR: I'm a white parent in a transracially adoptive family, without the civil rights movement my family wouldn't exist so honoring the movement, and Dr. King is big to me, and I still wouldn't be offended.

 

[Judy in Texas]

I work for a major bank. Here is a list of our 2010 holidays:

New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

 

[NotUrsula]

The usual litmus test in the business world is President's Day, because that is the same sort of occasion; a remembrance of the accomplishments of an individual. (OK, two individuals, but that is only because the Federal Civil Service decided to combine Lincoln's Birthday and Washington's Birthday.)

The standard is that if you are open on President's Day, then you would normally also be open on MLK's Birthday. Schools used this same test when the Federal holiday was implemented; if they were closed for President's Day, then in most cases they also closed for MLK's Birthday.

 

[eliza61]

Not to me or any of my family and friends. I'm AA and I'm not offended.

First, nowadays it seems like every thing stays open 24/7. Even the biggies (Christmas and Thanksgiving) seldom see every thing shut down.

Next, Holidays in this country are becoming a joke, IMO. most of the time they are one big excuse to have a sale and that's it.

 

[Sleepy]

I would not sweat the schedule. Stay open. People will attend if they really want to. As my son's director says "Do you want to be a dancer, or do you want to stay home?" We have a slightly different situation. Our American holidays are not observed, so even on Thanksgiving, my son spends the entire day in class. We still observe the holiday as every other American. The difference is we do it during the few hours that are most convenient for us to cook and eat our meal.

The only thing I could guess is a student's family is going to a local library/bookstore gathering where someone is speaking on the topic during the hours that you have class scheduled. In that event, let them make up the missed class if it is that important to them.

 

[Art 1]

It's just another day.

 

[Minnesota!]

If you were closed every holiday but King's birthday, that would be disrespectful. Because you are open during Columbus Day and Veteran's Day and other holidays, I would say no.

Ditto.

And not just blacks celebrate MLK day. We do, too, here in pasty white MN.