Much will be written today about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his life, his work, his tragic death and his continued influence.
The legacy of Dr. King, and all those who choose to make a difference, are grounded in and driven by principles. Those principles are worth reviewing on a day like today. Sometimes in our overanalyzing world it is easy to forget to go to the source and read the principles in his own words.
Dr. Martin Luther King:
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.”
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
“You honor the ground crew without whose labor and sacrifices the jet flights to freedom could never have left the earth. Most of these people will never make the headline and their names will not appear in Who’s Who. Yet when years have rolled past and when the blazing light of truth is focused on this marvelous age in which we live — men and women will know and children will be taught that we have a finer land, a better people, a more noble civilization — because these humble children of God were willing to suffer for righteousness’ sake.”
“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.”
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
“All we say to America is, ‘Be true to what you said on paper.’ If I lived in ... any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn’t committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right.”
In saluting the memory and legacy of Dr. King it is important to note that there is still much to be done to make his vision a reality. The best way to honor those who have gone before is by living the principles they espoused — today.
What this nation needs is fewer people content to merely talk about Dr. King and more people committed to act like him in living the principles that lead to stronger citizens, more heroic communities and a more noble nation.