Martin Luther King, Jr.
Next Monday the nation celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. For most of our traditional-age students, this holiday has been a part of their entire lives. Sadly, it took fifteen years from King’s assassination to establish this federal holiday.
The original legislation to commemorate Dr. King was introduced by Congressman John Conyers from Michigan just four days after the assassination. When the original bill was not passed, petitions were signed by six million people endorsing the holiday. The bill finally passed and was signed into law by President Reagan in 1983.
The original proposal was to celebrate the holiday on January 15th, the date of Dr. King’s birth. Because of a concern about the proximity to Christmas and New Year’s, the date of the holiday was set for the third Monday of January. Ironically, this year we do celebrate the day on Dr. King’s birthdate.
Martin Luther King’s life and teachings have had a significant influence on the beliefs, values and philosophy of leadership of many people. Some who hold Dr. King in high esteem are chagrined that in the 40 years since his death, we continue to confront serious issues of racism, poverty, injustice and violence. But Dr. King’s contributions to the quality of our lives and the improvement of our society are immeasurable.
When I teach a course on leadership, Martin Luther King is always part of the curriculum. My students read Letter From A Birmingham Jail and watch a video of the “I Have A Dream” speech. I am always amazed that for many students, this is the first time they have seen this speech and read any of Dr. King’s writings.
Next Monday is a day to reflect on the life and the message of Martin Luther King. At the end of this blog entry, I have listed some of my favorite quotes from Dr. King’s writings and speeches that I have used repeatedly over the years.
But more important, it is a day to reflect upon our own lives… to think about our values, our commitment to service and the Common Good, our willingness to speak out and act for justice. Martin Luther King Day is more than a holiday, it is a call to action. The best way to celebrate Dr. King’s life and contributions is to turn his teachings into action. I encourage you to read and reflect upon the words of Dr. King. I encourage you to work for justice and equality.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotations
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
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“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
“I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live.”
“If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well.”
“A lie cannot live.”
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
“Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
(As always, your comments and questions are welcome.)