Coretta Scott King's funeral was this past week, and the irony is not lost on me that her death occurred at the beginning of National Black History Month and during the month that celebrates the life of her husband, Martin Luther King Jr.

It's easy to get lost in our own little worlds, and with all due respect to Butler County and the surrounding area, ours is not the most diverse location on the planet.

In fact, according to recent statistics, nearly 95 percent of the population in Butler County is white, so it's easy to overlook the tremendous disparity that exists still in this country.

This is no excuse to allow inequality to exist, though.

Having worked for several years in the Deep South, let me assure you that while we have made significant strides in race relations, there is still plenty of work to do.

Mrs. King founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Change in 1969, and it still exists today. So how does this affect us here in Butler?

I'm glad you asked.

The center is devoted to finding solutions to problems that create violence, not just for African-Americans but for all people. These issues include hunger, unemployment, voting rights and racism. Do any of those issues hit close to home?

Maybe you worked for A.K Steel and lost your job, which would make you unemployed. No job means there is no money, which in turn leads to going hungry. Does that make you angry, or make you feel violent? Maybe Mrs. King and her little center in Atlanta are on to something.

Perhaps realizing that all people, regardless of color or gender, deserve a chance to make the most of their lives isn't such a novel concept after all.

In fact, I often make the argument that leaders seeking social change defend the right for all people to prove their inequality, rather than their equality. When you think about it, isn't that something we all strive to do each day — prove that we are better than the next person? All King sought to do was to provide a level playing field on which to compete.

Are we afraid of competition? Isn't competition what makes America great?

King's nonaggressive demeanor often allowed her to fly under the radar, while at the same time promoting causes in a very passive, yet persuasive, method. Too often today, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Mrs. King's wheel, while sometimes squeaky, was more often consistent and dependable, standing up for any person who was a victim of society's backward priorities.

The world should have known that King would emerge as one of the most influential voices on equality and race relations. After all, her father was the first African-American to own a truck in her hometown, and he later ran a country store. Her mother actually hired a bus and drove all of the black children to high school each day so that they could have a quality education.

How do we make a change here in our hometown, where nearly all of us are white, middle income, hard-working people who don't come into contact with minorities very often?

Realize that King fought for equal treatment for any minority, which can mean a person with physical limitations, the elderly, children or those who suffer mental disorders.

You don't need to be politically correct, just have good intention in your heart. Too many of us don't speak up out of fear of being judged.

Show your children how to show unconditional love for complete strangers. Shovel the walk for an elderly neighbor, give time at the youth center and be a shining example for your kids. This will help ensure an even better tomorrow for our kids and keep the Kings' dream alive.

Christian Ola, a community columnist for the Butler Eagle, resides in Mars with his wife, son and daughter and can be reached through www.christianola.com.