The Civil Rights Movement was one of the greatest catalysts for change in the history of mankind. It required a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to force America to do the right thing. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the individuals that lived through that era and an even greater respect for those on the front line. They probably knew that they would not see dramatic change in their lifetime, and that they were sacrificing their lives for a cause that their children would benefit from.

People are always talking about role models and usually people in the sports and entertainment industries are thrust to the forefront to represent. But most of them do not live up to what a true role model should be (and most don't want the responsibility). The people on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement were, and still are, true role models. They were people who were willing to sacrifice everything for a cause. People like Fannie Lou Hamer, Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, Medgar Evers and Mary McCleod Bethune, to name a few. Those are the types people our children should be focusing on as role models. 

But it's up to the parents to help make sure their kids are informed about the sacrifices of those from the past, and the sacrifices still being made today. It's up to the parents to ensure their kids have true role models by making sure they focus on the right people for the right reasons.