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quote) He taught us too be proud too be Black. Too not, be ashamed. Too, stand tall. Malcolm X was a big influence on Mohamed Ali who was a great influence on America as well. Ali spoke eloquently on the rights of Blacks and how we were unjustly treated. Publicly these thoughts were not expressed before and it shocked white America. And lets not forget James Brown's song Say it loud. I'm Black and I'm proud. But getting back to Dr. King, he took the more passive approach, he used the example of Gandhi in India. Most Blacks that were religious could relate to Dr. King and had long learned to pray and to have faith in God, even when you are put down. Most Blacks stood by the charismatic leader. Furthermore, Dr. King had the ear of world leaders more than Malcolm X did. But the combination of methods used of both men, moved a nation.

I have heard it said that the American President was the most powerful man in the world. Will they still say that now?

I recall when President elect Obama won the election. A great day. Seeing men in the audience like Rev. Jessie Jackson who walked and struggled with Dr. King and has continued the struggle for equal rights to this day, how he uncontrollably wept. Never thinking that he would see such a day when America would usher in a Black President. And how after Obamas speech when his family and Vice President elect Joe Biden's family were on the podium and sharing hugs in victory. Black and White. Oh, how Dr. King would have also wept. And as I watched I could hear the words of DR. King in his I have a dream speech, that he dreamed of the day that men would be judged by the content of his character and not for the color of his skin. And didn't we see just that, on that historic night.

This is the result of the legacy left behind by both of these great men.

Learn more about this author, John S Foster.
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