When I served overseas and spoke to people from other countries about the United States, I often cited Martin Luther King as an example of what is best about our democracy.

Dr. King eloquently shared his dream of equal rights and inclusiveness with the American people and the world. He believed in a better America. His speeches were stirring, passionate, and powerful. They inspired people and gave hope.

But it wasn’t just his rhetorical skills that brought change. It was his commitment to work within our legal and political framework to change laws and, indeed, to a way of life in many parts of the country. It was his faith that he could achieve his goals from within the system that elevated his cause.

Dr. King believed in the Constitution’s protection of the people’s right “peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” And that’s what Dr. King and his colleagues did. They organized demonstrations, sit-ins, and acts of nonviolent, civil disobedience. They appealed to lawmakers and other public officials to change laws and policies. They built support through articles and interviews and often, through face-to-face conversations.

And in time, they persuaded the public and government leaders of the justness and rightness of their cause. Dr. King’s efforts resulted in legislation to protect rights for minorities in education, housing, public accommodations, and, most importantly, voting to enable participation in the democratic process. He bent the arc of history not through force but through the force of his cause and proved our ability as a nation to grow and adjust. His achievements demonstrated the strength of our democracy to people here and abroad.

Dr. King’s work is not over. Indeed, there are movements in this country to take back some of what Dr. King achieved. Some states seek to weaken opportunities for minority voters to serve as full and fair partners in the democratic process. Our institutions are under attack and our stature as the world’s leading democracy has been shaken.

We cannot allow that to happen. We must continue to be a model of democracy at its best. As we remember Dr. King today we honor him best by striving to achieve his goals and to make his dream a reality.

Sincerely,

Dave