How many Taiwanese democracy advocates in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were told to "Wait!" How many of those same leaders, or even the leaders of today, believe that Taiwan would enjoy democracy today had their elders not pushed ahead with "legal and nonviolent pressure?"
Who in Taiwan would challenge the notion that "privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily?"
While the parallels between the American civil rights movement and the Taiwan democracy movement are clear and interesting, King's letter also contains an important message for China: "freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."
King testifies of an important truth about democratization. There is nothing inevitable about the development of democracy. It must be built from within. Global markets and the tide of history may help, but in the end the oppressed must demand freedom from their oppressor.
As I celebrate the first Martin Luther King Day of the 21st century, I wonder who will be the Martin Luther King Jr of China.
Who will have the courage and conviction to stand up and declare "I have a dream" for a peaceful and just future for the world's most populous nation?
It's hard to image, and perhaps its time is not yet come. Nevertheless, Taiwan should mark this holiday by chanting across the Strait, "Keep the dream alive!"
Stephen Yates is senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation Asian Studies Center in Washington.
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