No one leader to replace Martin Luther King Junior

ATLANTA - Since Martin Luther King Junior&#39;s death, people have watched for a new political and social leader to emerge with as much influence among American blacks. <br> <br> But as the nation commemorates the civil rights leader&#39;s life Monday, his family and activists say counting on a single charismatic figure may be counterproductive. <br> <br> His widow -- Coretta Scott King -- says King&#39;s goal was to empower individuals to take action themselves. <br> <br> King&#39;s eldest son -- Martin Luther King the Third -- urges people to each push for solutions to the problems that hit black communities particularly hard -- such as health-care costs, the growing gap between the rich and poor and the disappearance of affirmative action programs. <br> <br> Activists say more blacks -- especially those who didn&#39;t experience life before the civil rights movement -- need to vote. <br> <br> Many analysts have said Republicans won key elections in November because thousands of young black voters stayed home -- partly because they felt neither party was addressing their issues. <br> <br> Veteran civil rights leader -- Reverend Joseph Lowery -- says both parties need to understand the power of the black vote and better address minority issues.

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