On January 15th, the United States celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. But this year, a group of white supremacists led by conservative activist Charlie Kirk are attempting to hijack this day of remembrance and twist it into a celebration of their own hateful ideology.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, has declared January 15th as “National Day of Remembrance” in an effort to promote his distorted version of history. He claims that this day is meant to honor the “forgotten victims” of communism, a clear attempt to equate the fight for racial equality with a political ideology that has nothing to do with it.
But let’s be clear: Kirk’s “National Day of Remembrance” is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to whitewash the history of racism and oppression in America. It is a blatant disregard for the struggles and sacrifices of the civil rights movement, and a dangerous attempt to rewrite our nation’s narrative.
The fact that Kirk and his followers are trying to co-opt the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. is not only disrespectful, but it also shows a complete lack of understanding of who he was and what he stood for. MLK was a champion of justice, equality, and nonviolent resistance. He fought tirelessly against racism, segregation, and discrimination, and his efforts paved the way for significant progress in the civil rights movement.
But Kirk and his followers want to replace this tradition of justice with their own manufactured myth. They want to paint themselves as the victims, while ignoring the very real and ongoing oppression faced by people of color in this country. They want to erase the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement and replace it with a false narrative that serves their own agenda.
This is not the first time that Kirk has attempted to appropriate the legacy of MLK. In 2019, he tweeted a quote from King, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,” in an attempt to discredit affirmative action policies. But what Kirk fails to understand is that this quote was not meant to be used as a weapon against policies that aim to address systemic racism. It was meant to inspire hope and promote equality for all.
The fact that Kirk and his followers are trying to use MLK’s words to further their own agenda is not only disrespectful, but it also shows a complete lack of understanding of the civil rights movement and its goals. MLK’s dream was not just about ending segregation, it was about creating a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, gender, or background.
But Kirk’s “National Day of Remembrance” is not just about appropriating the legacy of MLK, it is also a dangerous attempt to promote a false narrative about communism. By equating communism with the fight for racial equality, Kirk is perpetuating the dangerous myth that communism is the root of all evil. This is a tactic often used by the far-right to discredit any progressive movements and ideas.
In reality, the fight for racial equality has nothing to do with communism. It is about promoting justice and equality for all, and acknowledging the systemic racism and discrimination that still exists in our society. By trying to replace this narrative with their own manufactured myth, Kirk and his followers are not only disrespecting the struggles of the civil rights movement, but they are also perpetuating harmful and divisive rhetoric.
It is clear that the right-wing desperately wants to make Charlie Kirk its MLK. But let’s not forget that MLK’s legacy is not something that can be co-opted or twisted to fit a certain agenda. It is a legacy of courage, determination, and hope that continues to inspire generations to fight for justice and equality.
So this January 15th, let us honor the true legacy of MLK by rejecting Kirk’s “National Day of Remembrance” and instead, celebrating the progress made in the fight for racial equality. Let us remember the sacrifices of those who came before us and continue to work towards a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Let us not allow the right-wing to hijack this day of remembrance and replace it with their own manufactured myth.
