MLK’s Words Ring Especially True This Year

Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is that he took on oppressive government forces that reacted to peaceful protests with state-sponsored brutality. And while racism in the US continues to exist, the civil rights movement he led was undeniably successful. When Americans saw the images of supposed law enforcement officers beating their fellow citizens for no reason other than that they were marching against injustice, public opinion turned and resulted in the passage of landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

Never since MLK Day became a federal holiday in 1983 have the lessons we can learn from him been more relevant than they are today, when uniformed thugs are once again terrorizing those who simply stand up against a tyrannical government.

And, once again, Americans don’t like what they are witnessing.

The difference is that, this time around, it isn’t the states that are doing the oppressing but rather the federal government.

On this day, when regular Americans will once again brave the elements to stand up for what is right, it bears remembering the words of MLK – words that apply today as they did then.

“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,” he said once. “I believe that even amid today’s mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men.”

Dr. King spoke these words when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, which we find particularly fitting since it is the award that Donald Trump, the man responsible for today’s government oppression, craves so much.

And, in a sharp contrast to the self-absorbed president who coerced last year’s recipient to hand him her Peace Prize, MLK humbly accepted the award on behalf of an entire movement and all those who believe in “peace and brotherhood.”

He did so believing that, in the end, they would prevail.

“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,” Dr. King said in words that could be meant for all Americans who are peacefully taking to the streets now to stand in the way of government forces trampling the rights of citizens and immigrants alike.

They should heed MLK’s call to refrain from responding in kind, which would only allow Trump to escalate the situation and respond with greater brutality.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. King said he viewed the decision to award him the Nobel Peace Prize as a “profound recognition that nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time – the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression.”

You can read, watch, and listen to his full speech here.