Rights and liberties are not given; they are taken by people willing to fight for them. That means we honor soldiers, generals, the union protesters who had the army called out to stop them, all so we can have an eight hour work day.

but ultimately the change they inspired was gradual and uninspiring for the most part, unless mentioned on threads like these.

Excellent way of putting it. I like to think of America as an Ideal we are lumbering towards in fits and steps. MLK did not end racism, segregation and bigotry with a speech. but those speeches inspired people to protest and fight, many at great personal costs. I've seen the argument that Truman desegregating the military was the first real step towards the Civil Rights movement as thousands of white Americans saw how people they fought alongside were treated by the law and were appalled. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and all that, right?

Really, I think MLK deserves that position more, but he isn't a woman.

And he's not been dead long enough, honestly. This is why Reagan won't be on currency any time soon; hopefully his fan boys will all grow old and die so that won't happen ever but that is me the liberal talking.

The point is that as long as people fight to make the place better, we can win. You don't have to be the strongest person, or the smartest, you just have to get off your ass and fight. It may take a while, but the fight is worth it in the end.