Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929 - the year of the great Wall Street crash that caused the Great Depression and devastated the lives of millions of Americans.
It was at this time that Dr. King started his journey. He grew up to be one of the greatest champions of social justice in history.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an independent thinker armed with a beautiful and brilliant mind. Words were his weapon. He spoke mighty words of equality, justice and the redemptive power of love.
He did not merely speak these words - he gave all that he had in the struggle against segregation and oppression. He was taken from the world by violence while in Memphis seeking to obtain economic justice for sanitation workers.
He was a drum major for justice - a voice for peace. His message was that there is one common humanity - one common struggle against injustice - one common destiny.
I suspect that Dr. King would be pleased with progress but greatly disappointed that many of the same battles must be fought over and over again.
He gave his all for humanity.
His prophetic voice is silent but lives on in the memories of those who heard him speak and act with courage and conviction.
Happy 82nd birthday, Dr. King.
