It is 9:40 a.m. on Monday and my fingers feel like ice cubes, despite my gloves, as I walked to Tate Plaza.

Hearing only the sound of boots I realize the campus is silent. Martin Luther King Jr. Day means no 8 a.m. classes and no reason to hit snooze on my alarm a few times.

In years past, it has been that way for me, too – but not this year.

All over the country, Americans of all ages commemorated the life and legacy of Dr. King. Here at the University, students used the day to catch up on extra sleep, readings for class, and most importantly, service.

As I met the women of my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., to participate in our annual MLK Day march, the significance of what I was doing slowly began to sink in. It became more than a walk.

Locking arms in rows of six, we began the march at Tate Plaza, working our way to Broad Street, singing songs such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Lean On Me.” I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I remember being younger and sitting in history classes and seeing pictures of Dr. King, his wife Coretta Scott and civil rights supporters, locking arms and marching in a similar fashion.

Slowly my smile disappeared, realizing that as they marched for equality, they faced brutality every step of the way.

Monday, I was able to march as a way of saying “thank you” to Dr. King and other activists’ efforts, with no fear of police brutality or violence from those who did not like me simply because of my race.

As we marched, I glanced and noticed onlookers of all races who stopped to watch, giving approving looks. Then my smile began to return. I realized Dr. King’s dream is coming to fruition.

His work and sacrifice along with those who fought beside him was not in vain.

Turning onto Broad Street, we circled the Arch where our hymns continued. Fifty years ago students of my complexion could not set foot past the Arch.

For the bravery of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and students like Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes, who first desegregated the University in 1961, I am thankful.

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, outlawing segregation in schools and public places, a goal Dr. King was able to help achieve before his assassination in 1968.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the annual observance of MLK Jr. Day, which occurs the third Monday of January. It was first observed nationwide in 1986.

In King’s last speech given in Memphis, Tenn. on April 3, 1968, he began by saying, “We’ve got some difficult days ahead.”

This still holds true 40 years later. Injustice and inequality are still prevalent in America and at the University.

We may never be a utopian society, we still have to fight.

We owe it to the seen and unseen heroes that champion human rights to make an effort. Hopefully with each generation our country and our campus will become “united” and “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Some may think I see through rose-tinted glasses, and as an optimist I do the see the glass for equality and justice as half full.

Maybe Dr. King did, too. His optimism, despite insurmountable obstacles, should serve as an inspiration to us all.

All it took was one man, one vision and one dream.

- Tamara Best is a staff writer for The Red & Black.