Martin Luther King Jr. Day: let's celebrate it while we still can

In a recent interview with the New York Times, President Donald J. Trump said he felt the Civil Rights Movement and its reforms were harmful to white people, who “were very badly treated.” Also, the administration made sure that Martin Luther King Jr. Day - still a national holiday (for now) - would not be a day where people could visit America's national parks for free. Trump did, however, make his own birthday as a day for National Parks free admissions. For Christ's sake.

I usually steer away from political commentary on the Snap Crackle POP! show, but I wanted to do my part (as infintesimly small as it may be) to celebrate this important American holiday. I am hearing there are more-than-usual MLK Jr. day celebtations happening today, which I'm grateful for. I remember his assasination day and I was so confused by it - why? Just... why? And why are some sh*tty. powerful, hate-filled people trying to erase this day in 2026?

Happy Birthday, Martin. And thank you for your brilliance and bravery. Our lonely nation (still) turns its eyes to you.

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Happy Birthday – Stevie Wonder
Harvest For the World – The Isley Brothers

Like a Ship (Without a Sail) – Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
Many Rivers to Cross – Jimmy Cliff
The Harder They Come – Jimmy Cliff
A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke

This Land Is Your Land – Sharon Jones & The Dap–kings
This World (Is Going Up in Flames) – Charles Bradley & the Menahan Street Band
Tell Me Mr. President – Eugene McDaniels

Impeach The President – The Honey Drippers
Morning Matters – Yazmin Lacey
Warning Sign – Hannah Jagadu

Memory Be a Blade – waterbaby
Hold Steady – Queen Esther

I'm Going Down – Rose Royce
Mississippi Goddam – Nina Simone
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – Gil Scott–Heron

Inner City Blues – Marvin Gaye
Scripto Labor Strike speech (Atlanta GA, 1964) – Martin Luther King Jr.
Give the People What They Want – PJ Morton, Yola
We Shall Overcome speech (Southern Methodist University, on March 17, 1966) – Martin Luther King Jr.
We Shall Overcome – Mahalia Jackson