Influence of MLK, Jr.

     As Monday, January 16th approaches we find ourselves overwhelmed by classes, flights and goodbyes taking place all over america. Many of us don't get the liberity of having the day off from work or school, but then again some people do. However, instead of just thinking of this holiday as another day to rest, I challenge everyone to consider the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
     It's not uncommon for many modern day americans to feel as if MLK, Jr. has had no effect on todays current affairs, or even to think of King as an irrevalent relect of the past. However,  when you really think about it, and you consider the election of Barrack Obama, it seems as if King had almost prophetized the future, a feat that if he had not been assinated, could have possibly lived long enough to see for himself. 
     Today, it is almost impossible to be ignorant to equality for all people. With the development of mainstream media we see cohessive and global protests for all kinds of identities. When MLK, Jr. led the march on Washington it was an unbelievable feat, even for today. If not for King it is safe to say that most minorities would probably still be struggling for the same rights they gained over 40 years ago. Here on Wabash College equally meant the foundation of what would later be the Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies, something that not all minorities on other colleges campuses and even here have the privilege of.
     King made it known that he believed in the same principles as Mohandas Ghandi, but it is because of King most people today understand that a peaceful protest can be a succesful one. As we reflect on what King stood for as a civil rights leader we should understand that the war for equality is in no way over, and stand up for what we believe in. That is why although we didn't quite name our organization after the civil rights leader we do live by his beliefs and promote freedom, equality, justice and humanity for all people.