The nation paused Monday to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his passionate struggle for civil rights. The principles King fought for remain relevant to our daily lives. Thankfully, great strides have been made since the 1968 assassination of the man who dreamed of a nation and world where civil rights reign over oppression, prejudice and hatred.

Following the worst domestic attack against the nation by a foreign enemy, we must make all efforts to eradicate prejudices now forming against Muslims, a people with the unfortunate circumstance of sharing a religion with a small group of murderous savages. Should the country fail to uphold the moral, ethical and spiritual premise of the Civil Rights Movement King and many others gave their lives for, then the dream will suffer tragic setbacks.

But the effects of prejudice are still apparent. Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder is the only black person elected to govern a state, and no blacks or Hispanics serve in the Senate.

Honoring the Civil Rights Movement in 2002 and beyond ensures the world will keep striving to protect King’s dream.