How did you spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Did you watch television? Sleep in? Go to a movie?

Or did you go to a lecture given on the man's life, do a service project in his honor or take time to reflect on his impact on society?

Hopefully, you took the time to remember what he accomplished. Maybe you even thought about civil rights in this country and your relationship to them.

Or how you can continue his legacy and contribute to furthering the rights of all citizens in the U.S.

It's a day that is meant to commemorate King's legacy and reflect on the state of civil rights today. The university planned events for students to honor his work by talking about King and by working on projects that better the Lansing area.

But it's likely students didn't think of King or the battle for civil rights.

They were just thankful for the day off.

Not for the fact that everyone can eat in the same room or see a movie in the same theater.

It's unfortunate. The issues King was concerned about are still prevalent today.

We have come a long way since King was killed. His dream of children of different races being able to sit down with each other, for the most part, has come true.

Every day, students of different races and backgrounds take classes with each other, learn with each other and live together.

But even though we've come so far, we still have a long way to go.

There is self-segregation, in which people prefer to live with others who are similar to them.

In some MSU residence halls, we see groups of students of the same race and ethnicity living together. Many students can live in a dorm without ever interacting or living near someone who is culturally different from them.

There are still issues of inequality among people with disabilities, women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Issues such as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and adding "gender identity" to MSU's anti-discrimination policy are currently having an impact on our contemporary discussion of civil rights.

At a discussion held as part of a celebration of King's legacy on Monday, a group of students talked about what King would think of race relations at MSU today.

Rather than just wondering if King would be disappointed or impressed with where we are today, we need to actively take steps to improve civil rights in Michigan.

Start by volunteering in the community and talking with people who are different from you. Especially in schools, where children can learn what the issues are and know what to work toward as they grow older.

Don't let Martin Luther King Jr. Day be the only time you think about civil rights. Do something to honor his life and accomplishments all year.