From slavery to civil rights to women's rights to gay rights to all rights, America's moral conscience would still be sleeping if not for the non-violent actions of men and women like Dr. Martin Luther King. 

Since America is still atoning for the sin of slavery, a sin we inherited. . . then profited from, taking some time today to honor Dr. King is the least we can do for years of suffering and indignities that African-Americans endured.  Without his vision and determination, the shackles of Jim Crow -- "colored" washrooms, "colored" drinking fountains, segregated schools, lynchings and other unspeakable crimes and indignities -- would still hold tightly.

Standing tall with the likes of Gandhi, Bhutto, Mandela and Parks, to name a few, King is representative of those brave individuals who followed their hearts and visions to change the course of history despite road blocks and disdain.  May Martin Luther King's memory encourage all of us to go beyond our comfort level and act.