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by Jessie Wentzel A great man once said, "Oh, the worst of all tragedies is not to die young, but to live until I am 75 and yet not ever truly lived." That man was Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not have to experience this tragedy. He never reached 75 and he didn't die without having truly lived. King's life was recently celebrated and remembered on Jan.17, the 15th year the day has been celebrated as a national U.S. holiday. King's life should't be forgotten but neither should it be just merely remembered. There is something to be learned from his life. It's so fulfilling to see that today, 30 years after being killed by an assassin's bullet, his beliefs are still being practised. It's amazing to see that his hopes and dreams didn't die with him, that his passion and actions still affect our everyday lives. This is what makes Martin Luther King Jr. worth remembering. King Jr. came into to the world so quietly he was thought to be stillborn, but his life was anything but quiet. His life was one of hopes and dreams that he wouldn't let die. He changed the world, he made people think, and allowed them to see that we could all live together in harmony. Using Ghandi's methods of non-violence, he constructed the greatest movement in history, the Civil Rights movement. Time magazine named him ŒMan of the Year', he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He had more accomplishments in his life than I can even begin to dream about. When is the last time someone had such a tremendous impact in society? When is the last time someone believed in a cause so much that they dedicated and gave their life for it? When is the last time one man inspired such a large amount of people? And when is the last time you stood up for something you believe in? On Aug. 28, 1963 The March on Washington changed history. Over 250,000 marchers filled the area from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, including 60,000 white people. King not only had an affect on blacks, he affected everyone, every race. King didn't only affect Americans, he affected the world. So why is Martin Luther King Jr. Day only a U.S. holiday? Because he was American? King fought for the equity of all, he changed the world, he changed the way we all live today, not just the lifestyles of the people in the U.S. King is remembered and celebrated in Canada, but not officially. Canada should also have a day to recognize King, maybe not as a Canadian hero, but as a great man who lived and died for a dream, which can truly be the only way to live.
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