Heroes

According to a poll I head on the news today, over 60% of black Americans do something to mark Martin Luther King Day each year, while only 16% of white Americans do so.

When Dr. King was shot, I was just about to turn 10, and was not especially aware of race and politics in America. I do remember that we traveled to Nashville shortly afterward, and it was as if the city was under martial law. But that was only a fleeting impression of the city at the time, and it wasn't until much later that I began to learn about the history of race relations here. I'm sorry that I never knew of Dr. King while he was active, only as a historical figure.

While I never had the honor of meeting Dr. King, I was fortunate enough to get to meet Morris Dees, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center a few years ago when he spoke at the university. I am glad that he is brave and persistent enough to carry on the work; there is still so much remaining to be done, and I am honored to have gotten the chance to talk briefly with him.