5 MLK Quotes That Remain Incredibly Relevant Today

“The problems of racial injustice and economic injustice cannot be solved without a radical redistribution of political and economic power.”

– “The Three Evils of Society,” 1967

This country has never truly reckoned with the legacy of slavery. But we see the ongoing effects of that legacy in the racist criminal justice system, the massive racial wealth gap, and the disproportionate impact of crises like environmental pollution, climate change, and COVID-19 on Black and Brown people and low-income communities. All while many of our leaders, funded by corporations and the ultra-wealthy, use race and racism to divide and silence everyday Americans. To make lasting change, we must make sure that our democracy and economy work for everyone, not just those who happen to be rich and white.

 

“A riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear?...It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity."

– “The Other America,” 1967

When protestors took to the streets this summer after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, some commentators immediately labeled the largely peaceful demonstrations “riots.” But “riot” is a loaded term, and it’s most often been used by white people to demonize people of color demanding change. Next time you hear someone describing a protest as a riot, be sure to notice who’s speaking and ask yourself who benefits from and who’s harmed by the use of that racist term. 

“We must see now that the evils of racism, economic exploitation and militarism are all tied together. And you can’t get rid of one without getting rid of the other.”

– “Where Do We Go from Here?” 1967

Dr. King’s approval ratings began to plummet toward the end of his life as he increasingly pressed the argument that racism, poverty, and warmaking were linked and had to be addressed together to transform our society. This cost him a lot of support, especially among white people, but it’s clear today, as we look at things like how much more we spend on the military than on pandemic relief for our most vulnerable people and communities, that Dr. King was right.

“It may be true that morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless. It may be true that the law can't make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important also.”

– “The Other America,” 1967

Over these past four years we’ve seen hate crimes skyrocket. We’ve seen neo-Nazis lead protests in our cities. We’ve seen Black churches attacked. We’ve seen what can happen when political leaders use hate and racism to divide us. No, it may not be possible to stamp out hate and racism once and for all, but certainly a Justice Department that fights for justice will make a difference. Transforming our idea of public safety will make a difference. Ensuring that Black and Brown people are in the room when laws and policies are debated and drafted will make a difference.

“There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we now have the resources to get rid of it…Why should there be hunger and privation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know‐how to provide all mankind with the basic necessities of life?…There is no deficit in human resources, the deficit is in human will…The time has come for an all‐out world war against poverty.”

– “Where Do We Go from Here?” 1967

In this, the wealthiest nation in the world, millions of people have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Millions of people go hungry every day. Millions of families agonize over how they’ll pay their rent or buy their groceries or get their kids a winter coat. We know that low-income communities and Black and Brown people are being hit hardest by the pandemic and the economic fallout—and we know that there hasn’t been enough done to help. Is it because the government lacks the money? No. We lack the will, as much today as in 1967.