In his own words

It would be conceited of me to think that any tribute I might clumsily compose could do adequate justice to the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His efforts in support of long-overdue racial equality, an end to global poverty, and a philosophy of world peace and non-violence, had such a profound effect on me during my most impressionable years that I wouldn't know where or how to begin.

So it would seem to me, then, to be far more fitting to revisit the words of Dr. King himself, words which are once again of crucial importance to the very soul of America:

--"During these days of human travail, we must encourage creative dissenters. We need them because the thunder of their fearless voices will be the only sound stronger than the blasts of bombs and the clamor of war hysteria. Those of us who love peace must organize as effectively as war hawks. As they spread the propaganda of war, we must spread the propaganda of peace."

--"We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent coannihilation. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace and justice throughout the developing world, a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight."

--"Increasingly, by choice or by accident, this is the role our nation has taken, the role of those who make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that come from the immense profits of overseas investments. I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered."

--"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."

Dr. King was, simply, a giant. He was emblematic of the very things so tragically lacking in today's so-called leaders. America can best honor his memory by renewing our collective pledge to denounce violence, poverty, and inequality whenever and wherever they occur, and by resolving to actively pursue that elusive dream of a world truly at peace.