My second favorite quote has to be about justice.  Unfortunately far too few people care enough about the less fortunate to actually do something unless something happens to someone they personally know and care about.  In my work, I teach people to understand and respect diversity.  Rarely do I conduct a Diversity class that I don’t hear comments against Affirmative Action, even though the purpose of Affirmative Action is not to give any group an unfair advantage.  Instead, it is merely a legal remedy to address proven injustices by helping to create a level playing field for all Americans.

Some people think we should be satisfied with the advances we’ve made.  But, Dr King’s standard for justice was much higher.  It was based on Amos 5:24 in the Bible:

“No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” In the book, Why We Can’t Wait, he wrote, “It is impossible to create a formula for the future which does not take into account that our society has been doing something special against the Negro for hundreds of years.  How then can he be absorbed into the mainstream of American life if we do not do something special for him now?”

Each day, in schools across America, kids end their pledge with the words, “liberty and justice for all.”  And yet there still  isn’t liberty and justice for all.  We must each rise up and do our part.  Dr. King said,

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy …was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

To read about my third favorite Dr. King quote on Perspective and Sacrifice, click here. http://wp.me/ppImQ-eq

Barbara Talley is a keynote speaker, author, poet, and trainer who can be reached at www.thepoetspeaks.com.  Still looking for a keynote speaker for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, or Administrative Professional Day, phone Barbara at 301-428-4831.