Shoe shopping in honor of MLK

There are several different ways to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Some people do nothing. It’s just a day out of school or off work. Maybe they’ll direct a simple “thank you” toward a photo of King they’re bound to see and move on with their day.

Some people will attend seminars or events that celebrate the legacy of King. Figures who lived through the civil rights era will give accounts of their experiences. They’ll reflect on the progress America has made.

Folks who don’t like going out might watch touching documentaries.
 
I was among that group this year, spending a lot of time watching Black Entertainment Television.

I normally try to avoid BET. I feel that a number of its shows play off of black stereotypes that are insulting and often overly exaggerated. But during the
weekend of MLK Day, BET broadcasts some fascinating documentaries.

They tell the stories and struggles of black people in history other than MLK, Malcolm X or Rosa Parks — not that they’re at all excluded — which can be refreshing when every other channel is a montage of those three faces.

Perhaps you’re the type to celebrate the peace King brought to our country by throwing a celebration of your own. I just hope you designed better invitations than some I found online.

BET gathered and made a list of six disrespectful King party flyers.

One flyer for a party called “Free at Last” featured King decked out heavier than Flavor Flav flanked on each side by Nicki Minaj. The others included more horrible Photoshop jobs almost as insulting as the content itself combining King with rappers like Lil Wayne, half-naked women and hand signs. But it’s OK.

When King risked his life for our freedom, I’m sure that definitely included our “Freedom to Twerk.”

And then there are those who use MLK Day as a way to bring in the dollars.

Appreciating racial equality is little to nothing compared to buy one, get one free with the code MLKFREE at Delias, or 70 percent off sale items at Ann Taylor.

Forget listening to a Freedom Rider at the Buskirk-Chumley, get me to the mall.

I can’t condemn the consumer for these sales. Shopping happens every day.
They can’t be expected to resist a good deal when it arises.

But for retailers to sponsor these sales is tacky and pulls the attention away from the true meaning of this day. This day is bigger than saving customers 15 percent at Macy’s — but seriously, Macy’s, only 15 percent? Talk about putting a price on freedom.

People can be different, but on this day I don’t think it’s too much to make it about King’s legacy. I don’t expect anyone to give thanks to King every two minutes or write essays explaining how he’s affected your life.

But if you’re going to do something in his honor, make sure it’s done respectfully and is meant to bring honor to his legacy.

Don’t just save a few bucks on a pair of shoes at Payless.

­— lnbanks@indiana.edu

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Lexia Banks on Twitter
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