“Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: – ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

— Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King Jr. devoted his life to achieving equality for all people in the United States. He was a champion of peace and justice. He encouraged people to solve problems without resorting to violence. On Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor his contributions to the world.”The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers,” he said.He promoted fraternity among races and encouraged people to accept others and their differences.”We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools,” he said.Everyone can take inspiration from King’s message of love and peace.When he said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” he spoke to the true nature of human beings and challenged us all to be more than we are.”I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”Take time Monday to remember his legacy.

editorialboard: Carrie Tett, Greg Jerrett, Katie Goldsmith, Andrea Hauser and Jocelyn Marcus