“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.  Martin Luther King

In honor of Martin Luther King’s upcoming celebration, I am commenting on several of his quotes that mean a lot to me.

Dr. King was writing of the civil-rights era, when he said, History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. However, his words are applicable today in our current political environment  where civility has been replaced by anger and hate. Applicable today where a climate exists which tolerates evil by its deafening silence.

In order to change the tone of the rhetoric of hate, we must speak up. We must stand up against injustice and for those who are being treated unjustly. Dr. King urged all of us to feel passionate about freedom and justice  when we feel strongly, we must speak up; not remain silent.