More from Obama Interview on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show"

Obama joins the show on the phone from Chicago:

On MLK anniversary: "Obviously I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Doctor King" saying a lot of people owe debt to him and other heroes of the civil rights movement. Thinks America's made "enormous progress" when it comes to racial justice, but African Americans are still struggling economically.

On where he was when MLK was assassinated: He was six years old living in Hawaii. "What I knew was that he was fighting for justice." Says his mom used to describe King as a man who was fighting for him.

On not being in Memphis Friday: Says that he doesn't regret it. "This is a message that has to be delivered all across the country." Says he'll be in Indiana and North Dakota where people maybe even more than in Memphis need to hear King's story.

Al Sharpton ties Obama's visit to Indiana to Bobby Kennedy's speech on the night of the assassination. Says he's being consistent with Kennedy tradition.

On MLK and his daughters: Says he's talked to his girls about MLK, history of the civil rights movement so they don't take what they have "for granted."