Holiday

MLK Day Is Being Celebrated Alongside Robert E. Lee’s Birthday In Alabama

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The state of Alabama released an official statement that they celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day alongside Confederate leader Robert E. Lee’s birthday on January 16th. Moreover, the statement comes as millions honor MLK’s legacy today, which fights against racial injustice. As such, many online reacted with criticism, outrage, and unfortunately, no surprises.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 16: An image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hangs on the back of a sanitation department truck during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in the Liberty City neighborhood on January 16, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The annual event honors the late civil rights leader. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“Alabama. Still racist to the core,” wrote one Twitter user. Furthermore, Robert E. Lee was one of, if not the lead general for the Confederacy during the U.S.’s Civil War. As such, to match the celebration of his birthday with that of an icon in the civil rights movement is insensitive to many.

While many commenters on social media called out the state of Alabama’s racist tendencies, some were defensive. “Went to Alabama for the first time in 2022. To say the entire state is racist is just wrong,” someone tweeted. “Sure, they have a lot of history to deal with, but to paint everyone with that brush is unfair and counter productive.”

However, said history is still in contention to this day. As the South reckons with its Confederate past, everyone from regular citizens to state governments took various statues commemorating the Virginia general down. While many progressive steps helped the conversation around these topics gear towards justice, some jurisdictions are still behind.

Meanwhile, this revelation comes in the midst of other MLK Day-related criticisms. Moreover, Coretta Scott King’s cousin recently criticized Boston’s MLK statue.

“For my family, it’s rather insulting,” Seneca Scott wrote in an essay. “[The] sculpture is an especially egregious example of the woke machine’s callousness and vanity.

“Ten million dollars were wasted to create a masturbatory metal homage to my legendary family members — one of the all-time greatest American families,” he added. “How could anyone fail to see that this … brings very few, if any, tangible benefits to struggling black families?”

What do you think of MLK Day celebrated alongside Robert E. Lee’s birthday in Alabama? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for more big news stories about the nation’s history.

The Best Christmas Rap Songs

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Image via Atlantic Records

  • Kurtis Blow, “Christmas Rappin'” (1979)


  • The Cold Crew, “Rappin’ Christmas” (1982)


  • The Treacherous Three, “Santa Rap” (1984)


  • Sweet Tee, “Let The Jingle Bells Rock” (1987)


  • Run-DMC, “Christmas In Hollis” (1987)


  • Eazy-E f/ Menajahtwa, Buckwheat from the Lil Waskals, Will 1X, & Atban Klann, “Merry Muthaf****n’ Xmas” (1992)


  • C-Murder & Master P, “Christmas In Da Ghetto” (1994)


  • Snoop Dogg f/ Daz, Nate Dogg, Tray Deee, & Bad Azz, “Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto” (1996)


  • Jim Jones f/ Stack Bundles & JR Writer, “Ballin’ On X-Mas” (2006)


  • Ludacris, “Ludacrismas” (2007)

  • Image via Getty/Taylor Hill

    Kanye West f/ Teyana Taylor, Cyhi the Prynce, Pusha T, Big Sean, Cam’ron, and More “Christmas In Harlem” (2010)


  • DMX, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (2012)


  • Sean Price, “How Sean Price Stole Christmas” (2012)


  • Ying Yang Twins, “Ho Ho Ho (Dirty Christmas)” (2014)


  • Fetty Wap & Monty, “Merry Xmas” (2015)


  • Dej Loaf & Kodak Black, “All I Want For Christmas” (2016)


  • Yo Gotti, Fabolous & DJ Khaled, “3 Kings” (2017)

  • Jeremih and Chance The Rapper, “Merry Christmas Lil Mama” (2017)


  • Rae Sremmurd, “Nothing for Christmas” (2018)


  • Tyler, the Creator “Big Bag” (2018)


  • Gucci Mane, “Jingle Bales” (2019)


  • Lil Nas X, “Holiday” (2020)


  • Gucci Mane, “St. Brick Intro” (2016)


  • TLC, “Sleigh Ride” (1992)


  • Outkast, “Player’s Ball” (1993)

Lil Nas X Remembers ‘Crying Like A Crazy Person’ After ‘Holiday’ Wasn’t The Hit He Thought It Would Be

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Getty Image

Lil Nas X has had almost unparalleled success during his short time in the music industry, but that doesn’t mean the young rapper is immune to moments of doubt and disappointment. In a recent cover story with British GQ, Nas remembered a low point after last year’s single “Holiday” didn’t pan out like he thought it would. In fact, he was so upset, Nas told GQ he booked a hotel room just to process his sadness, even breaking down into tears over his feelings.

“I was seeing some nice things,” he told GQ. “But I was seeing a lot of f*cking negativity too. And I was like, ‘Oh sh*t. This is not even in the top 200. Oh god. What the f*ck did I do wrong?”

He even went so far as to tell his manager to cancel an episode of Holiday Plays, a Christmas special starring Miley Cyrus that was scheduled for rehearsals the next day.

“I told my manager, ‘I don’t want to do it,” he continued. “‘Let’s cancel it. Let’s get rid of it. There’s no point. Nobody’s really f*cking with this song.’ I was crying. I was upset with myself. I felt like I’d… failed myself, almost. I was crying like a crazy person. You know one of those times where you cry so hard your f*ckin head hurts? It was like that.”

Little did he know the success of “Montero” was just around the corner, even if more drama was coming there, too, eventually. The life of a pop star/rapper is never fully calm I guess. And even if he was initially a little jealous that Billie Eilish won a Grammy over him, he’s also put that to rest. It’s the growth that’s the best!

Read the full feature here.