Today America celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by honoring him with a national holiday.
Here are some quotes from the slain civil rights leader that still resonate strongly:
“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Letter from Birmingham City Jail, 1963
“Many white Americans of good will have never connected bigotry with economic exploitation. They have deplored prejudice but tolerated or ignored economic injustice.” Why we can’t wait, 1964
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defence than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? 1967
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Love In Action from Strength to Love, 1963
“So we have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools.” Beyond Vietnam, 1967
“We may all have come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.” Origin unknown
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I Have a Dream, 1963
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” St Louis, 1964
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Letter from Birmingham City Jail, 1963
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