Today is the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Today as I reflect on his death and his legacy, I honestly believe he would be proud today. Many people believe there are still problems with this country, we still have a long way to go, or that even things haven’t changed that much at all.

I think people with those thoughts have a valid opinion, but are clearly wrong. In over 40 years since Dr. King’s passing not only have African-Americans made several advancements in this country, but several Americans have. The country right now has two African-American Governors, a potential African-American Presidential candidate, Several Federal and State Judges, Ceo’s, mayor’s, presidents of company’s, congress members, millionaires, billionaires, professional coaches, entertainers, college presidents and professors, and several other professionals as well. There is also an entire generation of millions with the potential to do all of these things and much more.

I think Dr. King’s life work and legacy left more than a need for quotas and handouts from anyone’s government, I think his legacy gave America a generation of people who can literally do anything they want, go anywhere they want, and say anything they want. If Dr. King wasn’t deceased today, but awoke from a comma and he knew of the opportunities and potential that this generation of Americans have, he probably would not believe it. That is why I truly believe his dream is a reality today.

Unfortunately many people take these opportunities for granted and do not understand the great deal of change America has gone through over the last several years. I’m not naive, I know problems still exist and also that racism will never truly die in this country as long as ignorant people continue to exist. But that is there right to be that way, because it is after all America.

I think “change” isn’t just a sound bite or a quick phrase to put on a bumper sticker, it involves a great amount of time, sacrifice, and work to make real change happen. Dr. King knew that, and I think he would appreciate the change we have in this country now. So each day as people advance in this country, more and more, I believe his legacy is living and breathing within all of us.

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