Last week world leaders joined 15,000 mourners to pay their final tribute to civil and human rights icon Coretta Scott King.
One by one, politicians, friends, family members and religious leaders spoke of King's dedication to the legacy of her martyred husband, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
They spoke with passion and conviction, reaffirming their commitment to carry on the Kings' struggle.
They also passionately reproached those who impede and dishonor King's vision. Eulogizers made it clear that a key abuser of civil rights, non-violence, and social and racial equality was sitting directly behind them.
Fellow guest speaker President George Bush sat quietly as he was reminded of his long list of moral violations.
Since the funeral, conservatives have spent the days condemning the eulogies in honor of King as "ungodly" and "disgraceful" politicizing. They were appalled that King's memorial service became a political assault against President Bush.
I say assail away!
A verbal and non-violent assault against a president who blatantly disregards the principles by which Corretta Scott King led her life is fitting.
A proper memorial of King's life as a peace activist must admonish a president who wages an unjust war.
She deplored the terror inflicted by our smart bombs on missions way afar. We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, ever.
But Coretta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection here at home.
"There are millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war - billions more, but no more for the poor," said Rev. Joseph Lowery, a cherished friend of the Kings, and fellow civil-rights activist.
A memorial of King's life as an equal-rights advocate must scorn a president who turns a deaf ear to Americans suffering as a result of discrimination and disparity.
"The struggle for equal rights is not over. We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, those who are most devastated by Katrina, to know that there are not yet equal opportunities for all Americans," said former President Jimmy Carter.
A memorial of King's life work would rightly include a reprimand by King's youngest daughter, Bernice King, against a president whose weak leadership has allowed "Materialism... greed, elitism, arrogance, militarism and poverty" to run rampant.
I say we should be loud and clear until President Bush listens and adopts policy changes that truly honor King.
Respect the honor of a brave wife who kept alive the torch of social justice even after the brutal murder of her husband.
Also, honor this diligent civic leader who devoted herself to changing American policy.
Corretta Scott King, along with her late husband, was a humanitarian who fought to end world hunger and who lobbied for equal access in education and for health and the well being of an entire nation.
She was a tireless and loving mother who rallied for the welfare of poverty-stricken children; a dedicated mentor and advocate for minority rights.
A gifted counselor, Corretta brought America closer by finding common ground with her brothers and sisters.
In her honor, you too should be a true leader, in every sense of the word.
Reach the reporter at dianna.nanez@asu.edu.