Editorial: Honoring King's legacy with peace

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will be honored across our nation today, a holiday reserved to celebrate his life, vision and leadership.

King gave hundreds of speeches during his lifetime and in his role in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Of course, he is most known for his closing remarks in his famous and oft-quoted "I Have a Dream" speech.

It's important to remember that King's body of work is more than his desire for all to be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Though an intense man and a vibrant man, King also was a peaceful man.

Not as famous as his "Dream" speech's crescendoed conclusion are a few well-articulated instructions on how black Americans were to address their inequalities, some of which remain. But his words are just as appropriate for white Americans, many of whom still reach ugly conclusions with broad brushes and hurtful commentary.

King said, "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."

Today we remind everyone that a person's soul is far more important than his skin. Or how he wears his clothes. Or how she wears her hair. Or the dialect in which he speaks. The soul goes much, much deeper than the skin.

The issue of race became evermore combustible in 2014.

When you read the stories of racial tension in cities near and far, take a moment to examine your thoughts before assigning judgment. King instructed those who followed him not to "satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

Today, we honor King's leadership and vision. We pray that all men and women of all races will exchange hatred and bitterness for love, hope and respect.