Dreams come true in 2010 for MLK Jr. and human rights
Lisa Kane
On the third Monday of January every year, we celebrate civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
This year, on Jan. 18, will mark the 10th year that all 50 states will be observing not only his birthday, but recognizing him as a prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement.
In his day, King was a advocate, leading protests and professing civil rights for all.
For this, we recognize him today as a human rights icon; he is a legend for the changes and awareness he achieved.
Through great oration, King raised high amounts of public consciousness.
In 1963, he led his efforts on a march to Washington, D.C. and delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, claiming “…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.”
His speech, then, inspired a movement of self-expression that changed laws and was founded upon the pure basis of human rights.
King is not only recognized for his accomplishments, (The Montgomery Bus Boycott, Poor People’s Campaign, etc..) he is acclaimed for his ability to powerfully motivate as an orator, never using a violent notion.
In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.
Even in 2010, King’s heroic dreams peak, for this year honors our first African-American president.
If King were alive to see it, he would welcome our decade of change and inspire the same public impact to push our generation forward.
We too have the right to speak up and fight for the way we want our country to be, to develop a public conscience and awareness.
That’s why we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day; the true reason should not be forgotten, for it can even be inspiration today.
