America celebrates Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 20. Established in 1983, this federal holiday recognizes the life, work and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Many people think of Dr. King as a champion of the African-American community, but the fact is, he was champion for all communities. His dream of equality and social justice inspired people all over the world to stand up for their rights and the rights of others, ultimately leading to the women’s movement, the anti-apartheid movement, the animal rights movement, movements for economic justice and the fight for LGBT rights, to name just a few noble struggles that live on today.
On this MLK Day, we offer some quotations from Dr. King that we hope will inspire you to stand up, live your truth and support others trying to live theirs. And justice for all.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
I have decided to stick to love… hate is too great a burden to bear.
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.
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.
Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.
Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.
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.
Only in the darkness can you see the stars.