Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday established to honor the legacy of one of the United States’ greatest civil rights leader.
2008 is a year of anniversaries both triumphant and tragic. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington, which was capped by King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It’s the 45th year of King’s famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” This will be the 40th anniversary of his murder in Memphis.
We asked four Virginians to share their thoughts about the holiday and about how things have changed in the four decades since King’s death.
Troy Wells
Troy Wells coaches boys basketball at Martinsville High School. Jeanna Deurscherl | The Roanoke Times
How have things changed in America the past 40 years?
I think we’ve come a long way. There’s probably a lot more tolerance and understanding between the races. A lot more opportunities are afforded African-Americans. At the same time, it’s still an ongoing process. There’s still a lot to accomplish, things to work toward to make a better understanding between people.
What will you do to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
I’ll remember a great American who had a tremendous dream for African-American people ... but also a tremendous dream for all people of the United States. I’ll stop and reflect what his goals were, what his ideals were for black adults, black children, and white adults and white children to come together, living in harmony.
Vivian Sanchez-Jones
Vivian Sanchez-Jones is the school liaison for Roanoke’s Refugee and Immigration Services. Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times
How will you celebrate observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
I’ll be taking inventory of the past year and see if I’ve done the things that he struggled with all his life ... his dreams. I want to know if I’m doing my part to achieve his dreams.
If Rev. King were in your position today, what changes would he see?
More minorities are able to climb up the corporate ladder, more minorities are owning businesses. We have basic education that everyone is eligible for, but we still have a ways to go when it comes to higher education. We still have to provide higher education to a lot of minorities.
How should Martin Luther King, Jr. Day be celebrated?
I don’t think Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is just a celebration for one day. It’s a style of living reflected every day, not just once a year.
Garnett M. Graves Sr.
Garnett M. Graves Sr. is the owner of Lafayette Sanitary Barber on Orange Avenue. Jeanna Deurscherl | The Roanoke Times
What has changed in the 40 years since Martin Luther King, Jr. died?
People now receive jobs they used to couldn’t get. A lot of young people used to leave town. I have a daughter myself. She had to leave out of town to get a job she wanted.
What do people need to do to keep things moving forward in race relations?
People now don’t seem to have the ability ... to be together as a nation. We’re so separated now, it’s a pity that things are thataway. We really need to come together.
How should Martin Luther King, Jr. Day be celebrated?
I think it’s a very important day. We really need to be on our P’s and Q’s to be able to say that this is the day he really died for. ... We should also get out and march and show we really mean what we say about Martin Luther King. It’s for us to keep it going if we can. Sometimes I wonder if we really can keep it going.
Cheri W. Hartman
Cheri W. Hartman is a youth development director at Family Service of Roanoke Valley Jeanna Deurscherl | The Roanoke Times
How should Martin Luther King, Jr. Day be observed?
Family Service of Roanoke Valley and the O. Winston Link Museum are having youths ... give back to the community. They’ve taken photograph portraits of children who all deserve to achieve King’s dream. [The exhibit, “All Can Achieve the Dream,” opens today at the O. Winston Link Museum. $5 adults, $4 children, free for 2 and under.]
If Martin Luther King, Jr. were doing your job today, what would be his views on America today?
I believe he would see education as a path to success in achieving your dreams.
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the years since his death?
School busing, integration of schools, the No Child Left Behind Act ... the focus on accountability has been an honorable one, but what concerns me is improving teacher training, paying teachers more and honoring teachers and the role in education they play.
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Today is Martin Luther King day in the USA. The day has been commemorated by many people including US president George Bush. In a visit to the Martin Luther King Memorial Library, Mr Bush said that he believed "Martin Luther King is a towering figure in the history of the USA." Barack Obama also marked the event by delivering a speech from the church which is seen by many to be the place where King became a prominent figure in the politics of the US.

===New York===

An event in New York was organized that involved attempting to get thousand citizens to perform activities that were intended to help the community. Hanako Ikeno, who helped co-ordinate the event said that this event was organized because she believed "that the message of Dr. King was that everyone can be great because everyone can serve."

===George Bush===

George Bush at the Martin Luther King memorial library
President George W. Bush attended the Martin Luther King Memorial Library and gave a speech to mark the event. Bush said that "Martin Luther King Day means two things to me. One is the opportunity to renew our deep desire for America to be a land of promise for everybody, a land of justice, and a land of opportunity. It's also an opportunity to serve our fellow citizens."

Later in the speech Bush continued, "Martin Luther King is a towering figure in the history of our country. And it is fitting that we honor his service and his courage and his vision. And today we're witnessing people doing just that by volunteering their time."

===US Democratic party presidential candidates===
Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and John Edwards took part in a rally to commemorate Martin Luther King day. 


In the event Hilary Clinton asked the crowd to "Let us just take a moment to marvel at the progress we have made together." After saying that she added "But the work is far from finished, the dream is not fulfilled." The use of the word dream was widely interpreted as reference to Martin Luther King.

Obama added to Clinton's speech by saying "It's not always easy to see past our differences, every day our politics fuels and explores these kinds of divisions."

John Edwards said that "All three of us Democratic presidential candidates are on the journey with you on the march to justice and equality."

===US Republican party presidential candidates===

Mike Huckabee made a speech from a church that was near the former home of Martin Luther King.

Mitt Romney also discussed Martin Luther King and civil rights. In his speech he stated that he believed "the great civil rights issue of our time, is making sure our inner-city schools are up to the task." He added that he believed inner-city schools fail in "too many ways."