Today the nation commemorates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The day celebrates Martin Luther King’s role in civil rights and the struggle for racial equality.

As time has passed, King has come to symbolize many things – commitment to one’s principles, having a vision and a search for excellence. What his legacy is today varies, depending on one’s perspective. The Gazette asked several prominent African-Americans to comment on King’s legacy.

Here are some of their responses:

Janice Frazier, board of directors, Urbanites Leading the Pikes Peak Region:

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a constant reminder for me to not harbor hate when I observe clear and deliberate injustice and bigotry. In 1963, Dr. King orated the I Have a Dream speech reflecting his dream that his, “four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” and that, “one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” I, too, have a dream that the day arrives when Dr. King’s dream is finally realized. We can only hope and pray.

Deborah L. Hendrix, executive director, Parents Challenge:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. promoted a forward thinking approach to all situations. He focused on progress and not regression. We cannot change the past, we can only use the knowledge gained from the past to improve the future! This is the legacy I believe he would be proud of for America and the world. If you want to do something, then find a way, and stop making excuses or blaming others when you don’t.

Willie Breazell, community organizer, African-American history advocate:

He is the first black man in recent American history, to which there is international recognition for his work in both human and civil rights. His civil rights work is a hallmark within our western culture. In my view, his primary legacy is peace and tolerance. It is abundantly clear, that message is being diluted by some of today’s political leaders.

Dennis Moore, community activist, volunteer:

Dr. King’s legacy is that we must stand up against injustice and unequal treatment. I see today that we still have unequal treatment and mistreatment in our legal and justice systems to fight; and we must continue to stand up against the wrong in the legal and justice systems. The only way is to become more active at all levels of the community and government. That means stand up against those wrongs, when others think you are wrong in your actions. Those that think you are wrong will protest against you, but as with Dr. King, you must stay steadfast in your beliefs and actions to make changes.

As is true of all things, time changes our views, our opinions of events and people but it would seem King’s legacy of commitment and his vision of a better America still resonates.

His legacy can also be found in his words:

“Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”