In response, they turned the nation’s attention to injustice and inequality by remaining in their seats until closing time. The sit-in continued the following day; pretty soon, after significant media attention, sit-ins were happening elsewhere in North Carolina and in cities across the South.

In 2013, four courageous young men followed in their footsteps by bringing attention to educational injustice to the North Carolina legislature. Reps. Marcus Brandon and Ed Hanes (both Democrats), and Brian Brown and Rob Bryan (both Republicans), each took political hits and overcame harsh rhetoric as they jointly sponsored The Opportunity Scholarship Act.

Opportunity Scholarships give students from low-income and working-class families the ability to attend non-public schools that could better meet their needs. The hard reality is, not much has changed since the 1960s whencounter in 1960. Over fifty years later, four young lawmakers, also greatly influenced by Dr. King, successfully led efforts to create a life-changing school choice program in the same state. I believe there could be no better way to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the “I Have A Dream” speech.

Coming tomorrow: A post from Peter Hanley, executive director of the American Center for School Choice.

About Darrell Allison

Darrell Allison is president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, the leading parental school choice organization in N.C., with a membership base of over 60,000 supporters. A former White House intern, Darrell graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Central University and received his juris doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

I have to wonder about the