ATLANTA — Visitors took advantage of enjoying the Morehouse College King Collection at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Sunday.
The museum was packed with people trying to learn more or for a gentle reminder about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s impact.
King would have been 94 this year.
William Barron traveled nine hours away for his family and a taste of history.
"He was a visionary," Barron said. "And he was trying to envision what the future would be for poverty-stricken people."
Dr. King's dream made a mark that transcended generations. Aliyah Smith, 8, is just starting to understand.
"King had dreams and wanted white people and Black people to come together," Smith said. "And they did come together."
Barron said when he looks around at the world these days, he feels some of that unity is becoming increasingly difficult -- veering from the peace Dr. King would have wanted.
"We're living in a real divided nation," Barron said. "And in that division, we don't get much done."
Barron spoke on what would happen if King was still alive.
"If he was here, things probably wouldn't be like this," Barron said. "It would have been changed."
King's daughter, Dr. Bernice King, is continuing that legacy. She said what she sees when our nation runs into the struggle of differences.
"We're responding," King said. "And we're reacting. And, most times, it's out of our emotional space, but non-violence really takes you to a higher level of critical thinking, and processing, and engaging."
Dr. Bernice said fighting and canceling don't create healthy pathways for divided people.
"If we don't work together, something [bad] might happen," Smith said.
Whether you're just learning, like Smith, or reminding yourself, like Barron, this holiday, there is still something to gain from King's message more than 60 years later.
"Not just talking about Dr. King and non-violence, but taking the time out to study it," Dr. Bernice said.
The National Museum for Civil and Human Rights will continue its Dr. King Day events on Monday with emerging student actors and artists reimagining and presenting letters to Dr. King.