On November 2, 1983, in the White House Rose Garden, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill proposed by Indiana Representative Katie Hall, creating a federal holiday honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Many people, nationally and globally, use this day to reflect upon the legacy of a man who fought relentlessly for equal rights and liberties for all mankind.  Some spend the day engaging in service opportunities, and others hold community programs in honor of this great individual. However, one day of good deeds and reflection fails to do King's societal impact justice. 

In many ways, King was the Civil Rights Movement. While many leaders did their part in the push for civil equality (such as Ralph Abernathy and C.T. Vivian), a vast majority would agree that King was the face of civil rights. It is hard to fathom exactly where race relations in America would be today without him.  

Dr. King's messages of love for one another and hope for a brighter future resonated in the hearts and minds of people of all colors and creeds, spearheading a movement that opened many doors for African-Americans and all minorities for generations to come. 

Today, almost 43 years since King's assassination, we take time to look back on his hard work with great appreciation and reverence. The liberties and opportunities we enjoy on a daily basis that go without acknowledgement from us would not even be possible without the sacrifices of leaders such as King. However, one must wonder what Dr. King would think of US...Black America, on this day.

Dr. King spoke of love for one another, harmony and unity. Do we as African-Americans practice this in our families, on our college campuses, in our workplaces...in our CHURCHES, for that matter? Have we been guilty or been a victim of spreading lies, verbally tearing down others, or ostracizing people from our social circles for meaningless, superficial reasons?

It has been said thousands of times before, but it still rings true today: if Black America is to move forward, we shed these "crabs in a bucket" and "I got mine, you get yours" mentalities, and it all starts with YOU, the individual.

Make the decision today to start supporting one another and caring about each other's well-being (even those we do not know), smile and speak as we pass by each other, and make the effort to understand each other, for we all have a different story and we are also not as different from one another as we may want to believe.

The conscious effort must be made each and every day to do these simple things. Then, and only then, will the sacrifices of Dr. King and others not be in vain.