He sought a society and a government that rejected hate and bigotry. It is in this context that I'd like to share with you a few thoughts on Dr. King's legacy, how far we've traveled to overcome pernicious discrimination and the difficult work that remains to be done, work that needs the same level of creative energy and tenacity that NIH has shown in its efforts fighting disease and its causes. Reminding the audience of the recent hate crimes in Wyoming and Texas, Igasaki said discrimination will probably not end in his lifetime or in his young daughter's. He said the EEOC receives more than 80,000 charges of discrimination and 25,000 complaints by federal employees every year, but that Americans should not despair or be frustrated by these bleak statistics. He said that although there have been much-publicized challenges to affirmative action laws in several states, the playing field for jobs, advancement in careers and higher education in this country still remains uneven.
Discrimination is an ongoing battle.
In his direct-action protests and demonstrations, Dr. King included the young, the old, Blacks, whites, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asians, common laborers and professionals. In the speech, King suggested that everyone accept a share of responsibility for the violence, destruction and loss of life that resulted from the riots.