Honoring Dr. King

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1964 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Today our nation honors and celebrates the life of one of the greatest civil rights leaders - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Civil Rights Movement brought an end to racial discrimination deeply embedded in many local, state, and federal laws. Policies that imposed poll taxes, prohibited interracial marriages, and allowed "separate but equal" schools and business were common throughout several parts of the country.

Dr. King helped lead a movement that tore down the wall of discrimination. But while the Civil Rights Movement brought an end to many racial injustices, several still remain.

• In 2013, one in three black men can expect to end up in prison at least once in their lifetime.
• People of color make up 60 percent of our prison population though are only 30 percent of our total U.S. population.
• Black students are more likely to be disciplined in schools compared to white students.
• Native American students drop out of high school at far greater rates than other students.
• Complaints of workplace discrimination are not dwindling - quite the opposite.

These are just a few many inequities that continue to exist today - nearly 50 years after the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. Our nation has come a long way since days when one person could legally own another as property. The progress towards equality has been slow, but leaders like Dr. King have helped accelerate the progress. While we pause today to remember his life and legacy, let's also remember his dream is not yet realized.

(Tune into TVW today to hear lawmakers from both chambers pay tribute to Dr. King.)

Read this story in Spanish here.