#159

With social injustices and issues of diversity, equity and inclusion becoming increasingly prominent in the public domain over the last several months, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I have a Dream speech continues to be relevant, hopeful and inspirational.

Since Monday January 18 will be a national US holiday in honour of his January 15, 1929 birth, it seems apt to be reminded of not just the oft quoted closing words of his speech, but of the 'I Have A Dream' speech in its entirety. It is interesting to note that were it not for Mahalia Jackson calling out, “Tell them about the dream, Martin!”, the speech would (most likely) have been less impactful.

As we continue to build societies which are diverse with equity and inclusion at their heart, I am sharing some of Dr. Martin Luther King’s most inspirational quotes:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

[excerpt from a 1963 letter written from his Birmingham, Alabama, jail cell]

“Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

“For those who are telling me to keep my mouth shut, I can’t do that. I’m against segregation at lunch counters, and I’m not going to segregate my moral concerns.”

[in a 1967 address to the The Hungry Club Forum in Atlanta]

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism

or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.“

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.

Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl,

but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

“The greatest irony and tragedy of all is that our nation,

which initiated so much of the revolutionary spirit of the modern world,

is now cast in the mold of being an arch anti-revolutionary.”

[in a 1967 speech on the Vietnam War]

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”

“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.”

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

“I came to the conclusion that there is an existential moment in your life

when you must decide to speak for yourself; nobody else can speak for you.”

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

How will you not only honour Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but - mindful of wishing to create a world that is more equitable and inclusive - build upon his legacy?

References:

• Brady, A. (2020) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ~ Some Favourite Quotes

• Britannica I have a dream

• Hansen, D. (2013) Mahalia Jackson, and King’s Improvisation New York Times

• NPR (2010) 'I Have A Dream' Speech, in its entirety