The Natchez Democrat Editorial Board

Monday our nation paused to honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Let’s hope the prevalent reminders of his life’s work sink in to our collective psyche.

It’s difficult to imagine a more appropriate time than today to reflect on King’s peaceful message of equality.

Nearly 50 years removed from King’s assassination at the young age of 39, America still stands at a crossroads of race.

Racism, classism and xenophobia are as prevalent in our society as ever and they remain a scourge on what it truly means to be America.

Our country was built on the premise that all men (and women) are created equal. But our current culture certainly does not promote that idea. In fact, the opposite is true.

We’re fast becoming a nation of bullies who throw a fit when we don’t get our way and whose immediate first reaction to anything adverse is to lash out in hatred.

Americans argue too much and listen too little these days.

If we learn nothing more from King’s work, we should realize that all of us are at fault for the hatred that divides our country if we do nothing to stop it.

As King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

And finally, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

America’s friends need to step up and denounce the small factions that constantly divide us on trivial matters such as politics and race and work toward moving our country ahead together.