From AJC.com (Atlanta Journal Courier)
Lesser know, but equally memorable Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes:
- In his April 1967 speech, “Beyond Vietnam” he said of the choices that must be made for the betterment of the nation, “Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.”
- During an address delivered at the 11th Annual SCLC Convention thought to have occurred in August 1967, he explained why love is needed saying, “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”
- The civil rights leader remarked on the need for executive orders long before that came into play amid the coronavirus pandemic. “It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me but it can keep him from lynching me and I think that is pretty important, also,” he said in a 1962 speech at Dartmouth.
- In a Sunday sermon called “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution,” which was delivered four days before his assassination in April 1968, King remarked on the U.S.’s responsibility to address poverty saying in part, “it is a cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.”
- Delivering a message at Ebenezer Baptist Church called “Drum Major Instinct,” the Morehouse Man remarked on the requirements to serve — and it didn’t involve higher education. He said, “You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. … You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.”
- Discussing the Montgomery Bus Boycott in March 1956, King remarked, “We can’t slow up because of our love for democracy and our love for America. Someone should tell Faulkner that the vast majority of the people on this globe are colored.” The statement was in response to author William Faulkner’s statement that civil rights activists should let white Americans get used to Black Americans having equality.
- In his February 1960 speech, “A Creative Protest,” King discussed the feeling of being fed up with oppression. “There comes a time when people get tired of being plunged into the abyss of exploitation and nagging injustice,” he said.
Hi Step and All,
Thanks so much for sharing today some of the healing wisdom of MLK so needed in our very divided country and world. Every Thursday we attend a 2 hour Black Lives Matter Standout so well organized by sister Mimi at the Church of the Presidents (John and John Quincy Adams) in Quincy Center. Today we had an extra one due to MLK Day- very well attended with about 30 participants . We get many honks and thumbs up from fellow Whites and Blacks/People of Color passing by as we literally stand with our signs to signify that our City aspires to be a place that welcomes, respects and encourages everyone, especially Blacks and People of Color. And interspersed we get a small but very vocal and negative response from the ironically named “Presidential Pub” across the street, not frequented by either of the Adams fellows. Calls of “Fuck you”, “You Motherfuckers” , “You Cocksuckers’ , scattered among yells for “White Lives Matter” come our way from , you guessed correctly the all White and conscious/conscience altered pub clients smoking outside. A young dude in a red pickup truck blasted by, rolled down his window and shouted out (unaware of the irony) “All lives matter, you dumb fucks!”
A few call out, “How come there are no Blacks out there holding signs with you?” To which we answer, “They already know their lives matter.” So this is where we still are as a City and a country. A significant portion of Whites unaware of our continued history of racism, fearful, angry, vengeful to varying degrees. It’s more hopeful going into the Biden/Harris administration- but there is so much healing to be done!
Some additional quotes for standouts and actions for social justice:
“Think globally; act locally; begin with Quincy.” or where ever you live.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
“The ultimate measure of a man (woman) is not where he (she) stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he (she) stands at times of challenge and controversy.” MLK
“The time is always right to do what is right.” MLK
Stand up and stand out!
Here’s hoping-
Mike and Cyndy Cotter
Mike, Cyndy, Sal, and Mimi–
Your steadfast support of the Black Lives Matter movement has been an inspiration to all inhabitants of the Jungle. Hats off to you for your courage and commitment!
On Mon, Jan 18, 2021 at 9:06 PM The Silverback Digest wrote:
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In concert with MLK’s wisdom and compassion we urge folks to support “The Poor People’s Campaign”.
Is the Campaign still active? I looked it up, and it appears to have ended, but not because there are no longer poor people.
The current iteration is very much alive and active, perhaps the best coordinated and extensive national campaign for social justice,led by Rev. William Barber and Rev. Liz Theoharis…www.poorpeoplescampaign.org = very detailed strategies, programs, etc.
Thank you for the clarification!