Born on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was no stranger to racial discrimination. The democratic ideas promised to the American citizen were shadowed and debased by racial inequalities. In the late 1950s, segregation in schools, lunch counters and other public facilities was prevalent. Furthermore, African Americans did not have the right to vote and were denied many economic opportunities enjoyed by others. Raised in a society engulfed by such oppression and humiliation, King believed that he had a social and moral responsibility to educate the nation about the evils of racism.
             King's peace mission paralleled the lessons taught by other peace heroes such as Mahatma Gandhi. His technique was known as a non-violent resistance, using love, prayer, and speech as direct action against physical violence. King taught love instead of hate, kindness instead of aggression. This exercise of nonviolent resistance displayed the protester's courageous will to bring peace and dignity to the nation.
             Throughout his life, King played a vital role in achieving significant gains for humanity. From the desegregation of schools and other public facilities, to the acceleration of civil rights as a government priority, his peace mission was a success. In 1964, at the young age of 35, King was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his accomplishments. King's legacy offers a hope that someday racism might be replaced with love and respect for human rights.
             Individuals often become heroes because of the extraordinary courage they demonstrate. An unyielding determination to do what is right, true, and just became a guiding principle for Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero. He demanded peace, a peace that could only be found in human rights and assurances of basic dignities. He informed the world about all the people who had been tortured, slaughtered, and of those who had "disappeared" in his country, El Salvador. He told the truth, but like many gre
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