Today, we honor and remember a man who forever changed the course of our nation’s history.
A man now immortalized, whose words and actions continue to teach, inspire and unite.
A man who stood up for the rights of the oppressed and downtrodden, even though in the end, his efforts would ultimately cost him his life.
Though the cards were stacked against him, Martin Luther King refused to back down to racism and adversity. Even while thrown into a prison cell, Martin Luther King did not give up hope and penned the "Letter From a Birmingham Jail."
Martin Luther King was the embodiment of courage, a man who dared to dream of a better future for his children and the nation as a whole. His dream would become a reality and be the beginning of historic advances for the African American community.
The Reverend gave a voice to the voiceless, and hope to the hopeless. If the federal government did not listen to the abuses and injustices endured by the African American community, it would be forced to hear them. Through the charismatic personality of Martin Luther King, his decisive action, and the power of his words, change came.
To this day, Martin Luther King's words remind us that we are to judge one another by the content of one’s character, not by the color of their skin.
To this day, he reminds us that “ Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
To this day, he reminds us that freedom is not “voluntarily given by the oppressor,” but that freedom “must be demanded by the oppressed.”
In a time when political tensions are high, and discussions of race and racism are in and out of the news cycle, it is important to remember the values that Martin Luther King upheld. May every American stand up to racism and injustice wherever it may be.
If Martin Luther King were alive today, today would be his 89th birthday. This April, it will be 50 years, half a century, since his tragic death. Let's each take the time today to remember one of the greatest men and heroes the world has ever known.
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the civil rights icon's 89th birthday, and a day that marks a time of reflection and a call to service. https://t.co/rueE2VtVCj #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/qwWuiUbEW3
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 15, 2018
Martin Luther King, Jr., was the very model of an American patriot.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 15, 2018
"The Reverend’s devotion to fighting the injustice of segregation and discrimination ignited the American spirit of fraternity and reminded us of our higher purpose."
More: https://t.co/f8uAdsxMHI pic.twitter.com/reiiOjVwtC
Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & his service to this great country. I am honored to be First Lady of a nation that continually strives for equality & justice for all. #MLKDay
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 15, 2018
Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day!
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) January 15, 2018
Martin Luther King Jr was born #OnThisDay in 1929. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent campaign against racism. #MLKDay
Find out more about Martin Luther King Jr at https://t.co/B0vLAKQGhM: https://t.co/rtw9e3HqFs pic.twitter.com/Cz9tldHG8X
“Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
— Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) January 15, 2018
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. pic.twitter.com/BniQNKU8T9
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) January 15, 2018
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