In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared his vision of the world in his “I Have a Dream” speech, saying, “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.’” To this day, the eloquent words of Dr. King resound to people from all walks of life.

One person truly has the power to change the world for the better, especially if they have a strong message that inspires a nation to stand up against injustice and live out that individual’s vision of the world.

Dr. King peacefully advocated for the rights of every individual, who called America their home during the 1950s and 1960s. He was a Christian man who led the African-American civil rights movement and preached the equality of all people regardless of race. He shaped the civil rights movement through his encouraging words of wisdom, non-violent protests and strong leadership in the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955.

Throughout his public career, King often sought inspiration from other leaders in order to spread his message effectively. In his speeches, King referenced works from many leaders before him, including Scottish writer and historian Thomas Carlyle and Gandhi. During King’s 1962 sermon in Los Angeles, he said, “There is another way…as modern as Gandhi saying through Thoreau, that ‘non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good.’”

On Jan. 18, people across the country will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day. In Pearl River County’s two municipalities there will be programs honoring the civil rights leader.

On Jan. 9, the Pearl River Health and Home Committee will sponsor a program in Poplarville and on Jan. 18, the Martin L. King Committee will host a celebration in Picayune.

We must never forget Dr. King, who fought, against all odds, to make the world a better place.