Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important, influential and inspirational Black leaders of all time. He galvanized the American conscience, inspiring and educating with his Civil Rights movement. He fought, in a nonviolent campaign, for a nation that protects all its people, irrespective of color, creed or social standing.

Here are some of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quotes:

“Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives, to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.”
(Speech, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, Aug 16, 1967)

“It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.”
(The Wall Street Journal, November 13, 1962)

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil--hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars--must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”
(Strength To Love, 1963)

“Whatever career you may choose for yourself -- Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person for yourself, a greater nation of your country, and finer world to live in.”
(Speech, Youth March for Integrated Schools, 1959)

Martin Luther King Jr - photo by caboindex

The first Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated on Jan 20, 1986 after many deliberations, arguments and controversies. It has since been celebrated every year on the third Monday of January.

The theme for Jan 19, 2009 – this year’s holiday, is: Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not a Day Off!

The Raleigh/ Wake Martin Luther King Celebration Committee, one of the most active MLK Jr. groups in the country is organizing special prayer services, a march, musical celebrations and the like in Raleigh.

Other popular events across the nation are:

• Interfaith Breakfast prayer services
• Celebration and birthday services
• The Real Meaning of the King Holiday
• MLK Jr. Parades
• MLK Jr. Marches
• Obama Inauguration trips (since the celebration this year is the day before Barrack Obama officially becomes the President of USA).

For more details and to participate, click here.

And before we forget, since the theme this year asks us to “Celebrate”, we decided to celebrate it with you and give 20 lucky members, a 1 month Gold Membership on BlackCupid.com. Stay tuned, as the winners will be announced next Monday, the 19th January.

Already a member? Sign in or Join Now! to add your comment on this article!