Reflecting on the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As we reflect on the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we asked members of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) committee to share their favorite MLK quotes and messages.
Dr. Izetta Briggs-Bolling
Favorite MLK quote: “Another way that you love your enemy is this: When the opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy, that is the time which you must not do it. There will come a time, in many instances, when the person who hates you most, the person who has misused you most, the person who has gossiped about you most, the person who has spread false rumors about you most, there will come a time when you will have an opportunity to defeat that person. It might be in terms of a recommendation for a job; it might be in terms of helping that person to make some move in life. That’s the time you must do it. That is the meaning of love.”
Why it inspires: This is my favorite quote because, people that do not know me or my character have hurt and shared untruths about me, but love covers it all. It is important for me to maintain my character even when it is attacked. Showing kindness and positive regard in those situations and being consistent will always outweigh and outlast in time, the untruths that are shared and spoken to discredit me. I always welcome an opportunity to change someone’s mind about me by positive deeds and actions rather than words.
Dr. Francis Hayden
Favorite MLK quote: “A second evil which plagues the modern world is that of poverty. Like a monstrous octopus, it projects its nagging, prehensile tentacles in lands and villages all over the world. Almost two thirds of the peoples of the world go to bed hungry at night. They are undernourished, ill-housed, and shabbily clad. Many of them have no houses or beds to sleep in. Their only beds are the sidewalks of the cities and the dusty roads of the villages. Most of these poverty-stricken children of God have never seen a physician or a dentist.”
Why it is important: People often think of Dr. King as focused just on civil rights for African Americans in the U.S. On the contrary, he was a great humanitarian who thought about the major challenges of society worldwide. As can be seen from the quote, his focus on poverty as evident from his 1964 Nobel Prize acceptance speech was always an enduring part of his legacy.
Dorrel Christie Jr.
Linda Certo
Favorite MLK quote: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
What it inspires in Dorrel: It’s just one of the most positive and all-inclusive quotes. You just can’t disagree with it.
What it means to Linda: I find that there is an elegance in simplicity at times. Hate does hurtful things to us, when we hold it close. It also enables us to put more negativity into the world. When we choose love, we enable ourselves to walk a little lighter, and a little more kinder. It lets us see the world with compassion.