In wake of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s time to reflect on the impact of his efforts on today’s teenagers. King’s belief in peaceful protesting and never giving up has inspired others, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the NAACP, and the 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

King was a prominent and vocal speaker for the civil rights movement. His iconic “I Have A Dream” was performed at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, a year before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. His plea for an end to racism and raising awareness of the many black people living in poverty were two of the most important points in his speech. His speech alone could be considered to be what drove the Civil Rights Movement.

But how does this affect teens?

Teens look for someone to look up to, and more often than not it’s an adult. Speeches, murals, poetry, statues–everyone finds some way to show their admiration for the person they look up to. King had reminded us that in order for peace, we must start with economic and racial equality. Just as it was during the 60s, people of color are still paid less and are not as likely to get a job than a white person. There is also still racial bias in society today. These factors were what King was actively working against until the day he died, and had reminded the American people to keep his dream alive.

Teens, millennials, the new generation, whatever you want to call them, are becoming socially aware. They are acknowledging their rights that were given to them–freedom of speech, freedom to peacefully assemble, freedom of press, and their freedom to petition. This new generation is King’s dream, and some are not yet aware of it. His influence has shaped and carved the right path for teens to tread upon.

King did not just give us a day off from school. He gave us a day of reflection and remembrance, a day to speak of his dream and show how grateful we are for his efforts. Some may say that 2017 has started off badly because of differing political views or incidents that are happening within our nation. But as King said, we must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. Now is not the time to divide, but the time to unite, just as King did years ago.