- “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
In one of the most famous of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speeches, “I have a dream,” in August of 1963, King expressed his true vision for a future where people will be able to coexist peacefully and will be respected for the kind of person they are, not how they look. This is a dream that we as a country cannot forget, many years after racial equality was (in theory) accomplished.
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- “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. I 3. believe that even amid today’s mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow.”
In another of the famous Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speeches, this time for his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance in 1964, Dr. King argued that doing what is right and acting out of love will always overcome evil intensions and hate. In a time when so many people are overwhelmed by feelings of anger and animosity, it’s important to remember that this nation has been here before, but just as Martin Luther King Jr. predicted, love and equality prevailed.
- “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
This is one of our favorite Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quotes. You will not win every battle, you will always run into obstacles, but through all the struggles and trials you can never lose hope.
- “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
hen the world is in a very dark place and you are surrounded by hatred, inequality and anger you need to combat the negativity with positivity and love. Only when you do what is right will you be able to fight the wrongdoing in the world.
- “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Never forget to speak up for what you believe in and for what you feel is right and important. MLK is famous not only for being a visionary, and inspiration and a groundbreaking activist; he’s famous for speaking the truth and for whole-heartedly dedicating his life to supporting those beliefs. While we may not all be as bold as he was, we can all do out part, and it starts by using your voice to make a difference.
- “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.”
Your character will not be tested when life is easy; it is when you are faced with tough times and you must rise to the occasion that your true sense of self will shine through. And while it would be lovely to live in a world where everything was perfect and everyone was happy, it is the difficult moments that define us and make us stronger.
- “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
Love is more powerful than hate, and when it seems like hope is lost and the world is an angry place, never forget to act out of love and kindness.
- “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”
We all want freedom and every living being deserves freedom. But such independence cannot truly be achieved if it requires acts of hate to get there.
- “We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.”
There is always a way to achieve justice and there is always justice to be found. It might not be easy to achieve, but never forget that it is out there.
- “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
It can be scary to stand up for what you believe to be right, especially if it is not the popular opinion. Taking a stand and speaking up may impact your relationships and the way others see you, but looking the other way will change the way you see yourself, and that is so much worse.
- “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
We can all be great at something and we can all make a difference; all you need to do is try. It’s not always about making big statements or major changes; sometimes just focusing your efforts on being great at something simple can improve someone’s life, maybe even your own.
- “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
If history has taught us anything it is that coexistence and acceptance is the only way to achieve peace and happiness in the future. The fools may not see this, and unfortunately, lots of people are fools. More than ever this country needs the enlightened, open-minded and peaceful population to stand up for unity.
- “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
At the heart of all conflict, hated, war and pain is a lack of communication and a lack of understanding. Without communication we are lost, and our country will be guided by fear rather than freedom.
- “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
In a time when it can be so hard to know what is right, what is wrong and who is to blame for the injustice in the world, one thing you can always count on is your conscience. It was true during MLK’s time and it’s still true now. You may not be taking the popular path and you may offend others with your opinion, but if it is a view you are passionate about, deep down in your bones, then you are doing the right thing.
- “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.”
When accepting the Nobel Prize Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his outlook on mankind: and despite what he had witnessed and fought against for much of his life, be truly believed that one day peace and equality would win. Here’s hoping he was right.
