Each year on the third Monday of January, the U.S. observes Martin Luther King Day. Dr. King was an influential civil rights activist of the 1950s and ’60s who used effective, nonviolent means to advocate for racial equality and ending segregation.
Dr. King became a “light in my world” around 30 years ago when I read The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr., selected by Coretta Scott King. In the introduction of this book, Mrs. King spoke of her husband’s lifelong commitment to helping his fellow human beings. The main body of the book is filled with insightful quotes that illustrate his commitment to peaceful, effective social reform, dedication to God, and love for all.
While in seminary, Martin learned to reconcile Christian pacifism with “being a powerful and effective social force on a large scale” from his study of Mahatma Gandhi, a man to ignore “at our own risk.” It was with this same emphasis on love, harmony, and nonviolence that Dr. King worked for social reform.
One can only imagine how difficult it must have been to refrain from violence as he and his fellow activists were repeatedly assaulted with words and weapons. Some were jailed; some killed. Still, he continued to speak to legislators and hold peaceful protests. Eventually, their efforts paid off; segregation ended. Although much work remains to be done in the realms of justice and equal opportunity, major strides were made.
Martin Luther King on Violence and Evil
According to Dr. King, violence is a descending spiral that begets more violence. It seeks to humiliate rather than win understanding, to annihilate rather than to convert. That it thrives on hatred, destroys community, creates bitterness and brutality, and cuts off dialogue. The chief legacy of violence is a “never-ending reign of chaos.”
“Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind…”
“Ultimately, you can’t reach good ends through evil means, because the means represent the seed and the end represents the tree.”
On Nonviolence and Peace
Rev. King was committed to pursuing social reform through assertive, peaceful action. He knew that this was not the easy way or the reactive way. It was the high road, the best way because only love could cure the disease of fear.
He had the wisdom to understand that commitment to nonviolence first changes the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It calls forth the internal resources of courage and strength, which fills people with self-respect. Then, it stirs the conscience of our opponents and makes reconciliation possible.
“Compassion and nonviolence help us to see the enemy’s point of view…[so that]…we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.
“…the next thing we must be concerned about if we are to have peace on earth and good will toward men is the sacredness of all human life. Every man is somebody because he is a child of God.”
“When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love. Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice.”
On Service to Humanity
Dr. King taught that all people are interdependent (even though some people are difficult to like). He spoke on walking as a “light of creative altruism” as opposed to walking in the “darkness of destructive selfishness”. He considered life’s most important question to be, “What are you doing for others?”
He taught that everyone could be great because anyone could serve regardless of education. All that is required is “a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
The Volunteer’s Pledge
Dr. King required his volunteers to commit to the principles he taught. They had to sign a pledge agreeing to live by ten commandments before participating in a sit-in demonstration. Volunteers pledged to
- meditate daily on the teachings of Jesus
- remember that the goal of the movement was justice and reconciliation
- pray to be used by God
- walk and talk in the manner of love
- be courteous
- be of service for others and the world
- strive for good spiritual and physical health
- follow the directions of the captain of the demonstration
I Have a Dream
More than 250,000 civil rights supporters listened as Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Many more continue to be inspired by videos of Dr. King sharing his vision that all people of all races, colors, and creeds standing hand-in-hand as free men, women, and children.
On April 4, 1968, an assassin’s bullet took the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The world lost a good man that day.
It is now up to each of us to make this dream of hope, reconciliation, and brotherhood become a reality. Let peace begin with us. Let it begin in our hearts, in our minds, in our speech, and in our actions. Let it begin in our homes and workplaces, in our communities. Let it ripple like a wave across the land.
On Veganism and Compassion for Animals
Although Dr. King did not speak on compassion for animals, his wife and son have. Dexter Scott King became vegan because “If you are violent to yourself by putting things in your body that violate its spirit, it will be difficult not to perpetuate that onto someone else.” In 1995, he persuaded Coretta to go vegan. She said it was “the next logical extension of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence.”
I highly recommend this little book of wisdom to anyone who is involved in (or supports) any type of activism. The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. are just as relevant today as they were 60 years ago.
What is your favorite quote by Martin Luther King?
Source: The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Selected by Coretta Scott King, Newmarket Press, NY, 1983
Related Pages
Mohandas Gandhi: Spiritual Activist
Ahimsa: The Divine Path of Nonviolence