The Lasting Impact of Martin Luther King, Jr. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Lasting Impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.

A celebration of a wonderful leader.

211
The Lasting Impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.
www.democracynow.org

Martin Luther King day was last Monday. Yes, I know that makes me a little late in celebrating the great Martin Luther King, Jr., but I think that his words and the lessons he taught us can (and should) be appreciated every day. MLK was a remarkable person, whose nonviolent measures of civil disobedience had a remarkable impact on our country, changing it forever.

Given the current political climate of our country, I think that it is especially important to reflect on the message of MLK and also acknowledge that he was able to achieve so much positive change using peaceful protest. Here are some of my favorite MLK quotes to celebrate him as well as his methods of creating change!

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"The time is always right to do what is right."

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends."

"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

"We must learn to live together as brothers [and sisters] or parish together as fools."

"I refuse to accept the view that [human]kind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that bring daybreak of peace and brotherhood [sisterhood] can never become a reality...I believe that the unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is most important."

"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent."

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."

"Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality."

"At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love."

"That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing."
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

492
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

309
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199252
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20299
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments