While we've come a long way in the fight for equal rights for everyone, there's still a lot of work to do. To commemorate a day dedicated to one man who changed the face of equal rights for African-Americans in the world, there are many equality quotes to read on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018. Jan. 15 2018, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s passing, is a time to reflect on the values you hold dear — equality for all. Join the conversation the morning of MLK Day when users on Twitter will answer the question: How has Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired you?
A representative from Twitter tells Bustle to be on the lookout for the hashtag #ThankYouMLK50 to read inspiring tributes to one of the greatest equal rights' activists in history. This year, MLK day falls on King's actual birthday (it always falls on the third Monday in January), which feels like kismet as people around the world prepare to fight for equality at the Women's March 2018 on Jan. 20, 2018. This King quote from "Letter from Birmingham, Alabama Jail" on April 16, 1963 is just as important today as it was 54 years ago.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." Everyone benefits from equal rights for all, and these quotes about equality can arm you with the inspiration you need to keep resisting injustice.
1. "Here are the values that I stand for: honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated, and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values." — Ellen DeGeneres
2. "I think tolerance and acceptance and love is something that feeds every community." — Lady Gaga
3. "My promise and commitment is that I will never be silenced." — Gal Godot
4. "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color." — Maya Angelou
5. "I speak not for myself but for those without voice… those who have fought for their rights… their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated." — Malala Yousafzai
6. "Equal rights for others does not mean less rights for you. It's not pie." — Unknown
7. I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I'm changing the things I cannot accept. — Angela Davis
8. "In my moments of doubt I’ve told myself firmly — if not me, who, if not now, when." — Emma Watson
9. "We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible." — Beyoncé
10. "The time is always right to do what is right." — Martin Luther King, Jr.
When you get frustrated that we're still fighting for equality for everyone, and you'e mad AF, remember this other quote from King: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." King practiced what her preached, peaceful and received the received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
According to Biography, "Martin Luther King Jr.'s life had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States. Years after his death, he is the most widely known African-American leader of his era. His life and work have been honored with a national holiday, schools and public buildings named after him, and a memorial on Independence Mall in Washington, D.C." [...] "[He was] a visionary leader who was deeply committed to achieving social justice through nonviolent means." To honor King's legacy Jan. 15, commit to never stop fighting for a world where everyone is equal.
