I am not the first person to say this: Donald Trump's promise to "Make America Great Again" doesn't hold up because, well, America was never great. No nation ever has been. A few have been powerful and influential. But great, no.
A nation should not be confused with a culture or people. Whether or not a culture is great is open to interpretation. Every nation, however, has at least one interesting or even inspiring culture: That is the reason why I have taken trips to France, Cambodia and other places.
Even though nations aren't great, and even if cultures might or might not be great, within each of them there have been great human beings. Of course, most of us might be seen as great by some people, but not others. There are a few, though, who are undeniably great.
Today is a holiday to commemorate one of them. Although his actual birthday came last Tuesday, his "birthday" is celebrated on the third Monday of every January. I am talking, of course, about Martin Luther King Jr. Whether or not you agree with the ways in which he tried to achieve his goals, it cannot be denied that this country, and this world, are better for his having been part of them.
Here he is, on Fire Island, just off Long Island, seven months before he was assassinated:
A nation should not be confused with a culture or people. Whether or not a culture is great is open to interpretation. Every nation, however, has at least one interesting or even inspiring culture: That is the reason why I have taken trips to France, Cambodia and other places.
Even though nations aren't great, and even if cultures might or might not be great, within each of them there have been great human beings. Of course, most of us might be seen as great by some people, but not others. There are a few, though, who are undeniably great.
Today is a holiday to commemorate one of them. Although his actual birthday came last Tuesday, his "birthday" is celebrated on the third Monday of every January. I am talking, of course, about Martin Luther King Jr. Whether or not you agree with the ways in which he tried to achieve his goals, it cannot be denied that this country, and this world, are better for his having been part of them.
Here he is, on Fire Island, just off Long Island, seven months before he was assassinated:
