Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a call for people to examine how they live and what society needs to do to promote equality, said John H. McClendon III, director of African American and African Studies.

“(The Civil Rights Movement) is a monumental point in history when African Americans began to fight for their rights,” he said.

King fought for the rights of all people, not just the black community, McClendon said. He also was an advocate for the poor.

“Dr. King is as relevant today as he was 40 years ago,” McClendon said.

“The year 2008 expresses the same problems of 1968, in fact, in greater magnitude than in 1968.”

If King were alive today, he would advocate equality for all people and continue his fight on behalf of the poor, McClendon said.

He also would be disturbed by the lack of education in impoverished areas and the Iraq war, just as he opposed the Vietnam War.

“Dr. King’s dream was to irradiate those problems and they are even bigger today than in 1968,” he said.

People should examine society and reflect on what still needs to be advanced, said Ann Austin, a professor of higher, adult and lifelong education.

To Austin, King is a constant reminder of courage and inspiration.

“We celebrate because it keeps a vision for us of what our country can be,” she said. “And that vision would include a place where every person is respected and valued.”

King’s mission and legacy are something communication junior Rob Tutsock said he draws strength from.

“Whenever there’s something I feel like I can’t do, I think about him, and not just him, but people that have done great things,” he said. “I use it as an inspiration just to overcome small day-to-day challenges or big goals in my life.”

In honor of King’s life, the Main Library is hosting a number of events. People learned how to keep their family heritage alive by attending a scrapbook workshop scheduled for Thursday.

“I’ve always had a great interest in history and where my family came from,” said Eric Alstrom, a collections conserver at the library. “It is important to know your family’s history because it helps you understand why you are the way you are.”

More work must be done before King’s dreams are fulfilled, Tutsock said.

Although some parts of the country and world have made progress, there are some people who don’t want to see a change in society, he said.

“We take our freedom for granted and this day reminds me that he was exercising his freedoms,” Tutsock said. “He represents our rights.”

Austin agreed, saying King’s legacy still is being fulfilled.

“We are all still striving to fulfill his dream and he inspires us to continue the work that he gave so much to,” she said.