My compliments to Ben Praster for his display of brilliance both in writing and reflecting upon the subject of his column, "King one of many influential civil rights leaders," Jan. 30. Praster's words leapt from the page and I sincerely hope it has caused the majority of readers to properly acknowledge the participation of the multitudes during the Civil Rights Movement, who together became the collective leaders of social justice in the face of national apathy, indifference and brutality.

The oratory brilliance of King was indeed extraordinary and timely -- but no more extraordinary and timely than the convergent choices made by so many of his contemporaries. They were common and yet diverse men and women of all ages and levels of education, choosing to risk their lives, their livelihoods and their safety to salvage the integrity of our nation. Those choices became a movement, a new chapter in the national story. It takes a great deal more patriotism to critically rethink America than to perpetuate its sins, now, more so than ever.