Sadly, for many Americans, yesterday’s holiday to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is just one of those “throwaway” holidays like Columbus Day or Washington’s Birthday.

Thinking that, however, is a huge mistake.

Dr. King helped shape our nation by peacefully showing that it’s OK to stand up and speak out against injustice — no matter how ingrained the injustice may be or how unpopular the protesting was.

Dr. King knew his work, when successful, would live on far past his own years.

He was correct.

His message of peace and equality has inspired generations of Americans and countless numbers of oppressed people in foreign lands, too.

Dr. King once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

What mattered to Dr. King was defeating the forces in the country that kept a collective boot on the throat of black Americans.

What mattered was ending the Jim Crow era.

What mattered was changing policy so black people in America received equal treatment.

It’s easy to note Dr. King’s legacy on the holiday set aside in his honor, but to really honor King would mean continuing his work to improve our country.

Dr. King’s legacy isn’t simply a black or white one, but an American issue.

What matters to you?

What matters so much that you’d be willing to stand up and be counted as opposed to it?

Many of us may have laughed at the recent Occupy protesters, but in a way, they too represent King’s American legacy.

The minute Americans run out of the will to fight for what matters, our country will begin to end.