Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Before his assassination in 1968, Dr. King was the most visible civil rights leader in America. He led America’s blacks and minorities in campaigns of non-violent activism, using the power of his words and ideas against hatred and repression.

Each year, as the MLK holiday arrives, we can measure where we are today in comparison to the vision he so eloquently and famously expressed in his “I Have a Dream” speech. These days, it’s hard to say that we are making much progress. Racial inequality is still evident in income levels, in education achievement gaps, in crime and incarceration statistics.

What would Dr. King do if he were alive today? He’d be 91, but we have no doubt he would still be urging people to pray, to speak out, to stand up for their rights and to respect others and themselves.

The civil rights battle was not confined to the 1960s. It continues today, and we can honor the memory of Dr. King by continuing his fight.