Rev. Lowry's remarks about integration are what stood out most for me. As I recall, he said if they had it to do over again, they would define integration more carefully - that to many, integration came to mean all thing Black moving to all all things White, when in reality, integration meant emphatic movement from all things wrong to all things right.

That is a depth of vision, a moral philosophy, that came to extend well beyond the admittedly urgent and compelling but narrowly defined civil rights movement of the 60's. One day, Dr. King will be recognized as an icon, not of only the civil rights movement, but as an even larger and more significant icon for social justice.

That last speech was not a premonition. It was a realistic risk assessment based on the death threats and the knowledge he had of being stalked. He was a man of true moral courage in the face of the near certain knowledge that he would die if he continued in his work. No wonder those around him reported concern that he was near a breakdown.

Let him be remembered as a man, warts and all. But let him also be remembered as a true hero. His effect on the world, the effort and risk he took in doing the work he was called to do, and his genuine humility and commitment to serve in spite of knowing he would likely die because of it, deems him a worthy icon of social justice for all humans. And one function of icons is to inspire we humans to strive to approach, in some small measure, their courage.

I am no heroine. But I am willing to worship at the feet of a true hero. In doing so, perhaps I will be inspired or encouraged to make some small difference in the world, or engage in one or some small, seemingly insignificant acts of courage or justice that otherwise I might not. And in doing so, perhaps the world will be an iota of a better place.

That is what I tell myself and my son.