Today, throughout this country, millions will remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., what he stood for, and why we set aside a day to reflect on his life.

I was very young when Dr. King was shot and killed and knew nothing about him, but you don't have to be an adult to know right from wrong. I grew up in a home that was free of prejudice and bigoted remarks, my mother instilled those qualities in us throughout our childhood.

I am writing this blog today about what Dr. King, and what the civil rights movement means to me.

I love this country, it is the "Garden of Eden" on planet Earth, and it's very hard to look back on our history and realize there was a time when some of the American people thought it was alright to own another human being, like cattle or personal possessions.

I know many Americans at that time did not share that opinion, but even after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the people that did not agree with his message, would spread segregation for generations.

Dr. King knew that the only way to break segregation was to fully demonstrate its powers, so he organized peaceful demonstrations and marches that gained national and global attention through the graphic violence that law enforcement and many bigoted American people inflicted on black Americans, who simply wanted to have the right to the same laws and rules that white Americans were entitled to.

I often wonder if Dr. King knew the price he was going to pay for standing up for those rights. I believe he did, and yet he did not give up.

I know we still have bigotry and prejudice in this country, but we have closed the gap and continue to build the bridge that will unite us as Americans, regardless of race or color.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man with a beautiful dream that will be passed down to generations of all colors and races.

Check out his most famous speech read by our radio group at Townsquare Media.

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