This past Monday, many of us had the day off to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He’s celebrated with a Federal holiday held on the third Monday of every January in proximity to his birthdate, January 15th, 1929. This American Baptist minister and activist was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.
He is best remembered for his famous “I Have a Dream” speech: https://vimeo.com/2158959.
But how well do any of us know him? I wasn’t even born when he gave that speech on August 28th, 1963. I was two when he was assassinated in Memphis on April 4th, 1968.
His words, spoken 50 years ago, still ring true today. In 2016, in the midst of racial issues and protests that sometimes turned violent and/or destructive, he was quoted often as a means of encouraging more peaceful protests and promoting a theme of love.
A few of Dr. King’s famous quotes are noted below:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’”
This last quote inspired National Service Day. Their message, “Make it a Day On, Not a Day Off”, encourages people to take this dedicated holiday to serve others in the community. Their website encourages you to register your organization’s activities while also providing resources and ideas if you are looking for a way to volunteer. To learn more, see https://www.nationalservice.gov/mlkday.
This holiday, may we all pledge to learn more about the life and message of Dr. King, and to take the time to love and serve others.