Holiday is a day of reflection for Ratliff

The Wolves center feels a more direct link to Dr. King's work. Younger teammates got the message in school.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: January 21, 2008 - 12:14 AM

SAN FRANCISCO - This day has always been important to Theo Ratliff. His mother, Camillia, made sure of that.

Today is the 22nd anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday. Ratliff, the Timberwolves center rehabilitating from recent knee surgery, hopes that children realize what King meant, what he did, what he died for. He hopes the generation behind his knows today is more than a one-day break from school.

Ratliff grew up in Demopolis, Ala., about 100 miles due west of Montgomery and 50 from Selma, the site of one of King's most famous marches.

Ratliff's mother and his uncle marched with King on that day in 1965. Camillia has told her son about that day, about being tear-gassed by police, about marching on anyway.

"My family was a big part of that, that whole movement," said Ratliff, 34. "It always had a big part in our lives, remembering the struggles. My mom told me about that."

Not everyone has such a direct connection to King's legacy, but that doesn't mean other members of the Wolves don't understand the meaning of the day. The Wolves will play the Golden State Warriors, one of 13 NBA games on today's holiday schedule. But they know this day is about much more.

Rookie Chris Richard grew up in Florida, learning about King in school. He can remember feeling shivers the first time he heard a tape of King's "I Have A Dream" speech. Guard Sebastian Telfair grew up in New York learning about King from his grandmother, who recently passed away.

"It was taught to us at a young age. Kindergarten," forward Al Jefferson said. "I can remember us talking about Dr. King and how important he is and what he did for the people in the world, white and black. My family would tell us how things were going back in them days, how people all over the world respected him. No matter what people did to him, he believed in non-violence."

The most important thing, according to veteran forward Antoine Walker, is making sure that generations to come are aware as well.

"It's all about educating our kids," said Walker, 32, who has tried to do that with his two daughters. "They need to know that, when they get a day off from school, it's not just a free day. I think most schools do a good job of that. I know it was imbedded in my head in school. But it has to come to the household, too."

Listening to members of the Wolves, it appears that is happening.

"I wasn't around at the time when things were going on," forward Ryan Gomes said. "But of course you learn about it. You remember the 'I Have A Dream' speech, that is instilled in everyone. You remember that positive message."

Rookie Corey Brewer said his mother would tell him stories about King.

"I know I was aware," said Brewer, who is from Tennessee. "Maybe it's because I'm from the South. But it was huge, growing up."

And that makes this day more than just a day off (at least if you're not a pro basketball player).

"Of course, it means something special, to play on his [holiday]," Jefferson said.

Staff writer Jerry Zgoda contributed to this report.