Seventh Grade Third Place Essay
KELLY McNAUGHTON
St. Catherine Laboure School

Look Within, Not Without

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest leaders or all time. He believed and lived by the phrase, "all men are created equal." He believed that all people will one day break down the walls of racism and join hands as one nation, one family. He envisioned America as an integrated nation, without judgment of color, yet with a just economy.
Dr. King strived for the success of peace between all races, all religions, and all peoples. He saw a country that wasn’t judged by the color of their skin, but by their character. He knew what America needed, and unlike many others, he fought for it. He was determined to spread equality to each and every person.
When Dr. King died, his legacy still lived on and it’s up to us to keep his message alive. Dr. King did greatly improve American society, but there’s still a ways to go. We can spread his message each and every day. Dr. King wanted a just economy, and that’s just what we can try to create. What everyone really needs to improve on is a person’s image. We need to look at a person as a person first, not black nor white, not Hispanic nor Asian, not obese nor thin. Another thing that America really needs to learn, is that a small voice can go a long way. I believe that no matter where you’re ranked in society, you can always speak up and stand up for what you know is right.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw America as being diverse, integrated, and just. He knew what America "ought to be." America "ought to be" a nation where people looked within, not without.