Today we honor the single greatest American of the 20th century. The one person with the vision and force of will to actually make the country be in fact what it could only claim in principle.

I am of that generation who have been able to take advantage of the gains of the classic civil rights struggle era. The integrated world he spoke of is the reality that I have lived in most of my life.

Are there still major race and class issues in America? Of course there are. But Dr. King inspired a sense of hopefulness and Black pride not seen since the days of Marcus Garvey. In fact James Brown helped popularize the phrase and dealt directly with the issues of the time with this classic song.

That sentiment grew into a sense of actual Black progress not seen since Reconstruction. Parliament addressed the matter of opportunity and alluded to the expanding Black populations in major cities during the 70’s. This was also the time of a record setting pace of first time African American mayors in cities around the nation.

Mcfadden and Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” was another post civil rights anthem which I didn’t truly appreciate when I was kid. At the time it was nothing more than a jamming dance song but its lyrics deal with what was to be done with recently won civic freedoms.

Isn’t it interesting how poplar music chronicles the times and allows you to reflect on events years later? Those days and times have brought us to this period in time. Continue to reflect today and consider how you will continue to push the envelope and create a new future for our country.