He was one of a kind. He was the personification of truth, justice and equality for all mankind, not just for one race of people. No one has come close to being the mover and shaker as he in the arena of Equal Rights. A man with a dream who died for the cause for which he fought is worthy of recognition. It is with great honour to give honour to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The county in which I live was the last county in the United States to make his birthday a day of observance for its citizens. Personally, I do not feel a mandate must be issued for me to support something I believe and wish to pay tribute. I also do not feel superficial homage just by taking the day off is acceptable. The day should be celebrated by supporting the numerous events taking place in your community or anywhere in the nation, with your presence.

In Greenville, South Carolina last evening, approximately 1600 guests gathered at a Diversity Banquet in honour of Dr. King. His son, Martin, III was the keynote speaker. He was but ten years old when an assassin's bullet ended the life of his father. Two high profile Republicans, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis spoke earlier in the evening.

"There was a time not too long ago in South Carolina when a statewide politician would have been ashamed to get up and say good thing about Martin Luther King," Graham said to the crowd. "Now, a statewide politician would be ashamed not to say good things about Martin Luther King."

Rep. Bob Inglis said the slain civil rights leader had "improved" upon the work of the founding fathers.

"Dr. King, using Christ-like principles, showed us how to really change America," Inglis added.

One has to agree with each statement spoken by these politicians. Dr. King spoke of truths that most Americans were not prepared to hear. Sometimes the Truth can be a difficult pill to swallow. It also sets us free. A person has to know the truth first, but wrapping one's mind around something that opposes what one has believed for a lifetime is not easy. Once it [truth] has been presented, however, it is up to each individual to accept or reject it. It's their choice. Simply rejecting the Truth does not exempt anyone from being accountable and responsible for doing what is right.If we sought the Truth, found and accepted it, our values, priorities, and outlook would definitely change. We would learn just how superficial [shallow] our racial prejudices really are and how life is but a vapor [temporary]. Why not pursue something that is eternal?

"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so 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."

Excerpt from Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I Have a Dream" Speech

Dr. King was a man as great as his dream. There have been improvements and setbacks. It is up to each of us as individuals to pursue harmonious race relations. Everyone, regardless of their skin colour, deserves to reap the benefits provided by our Constitution. We must trust in God as we make our nonbiased contributions.