20 quotes
There is a spirit and a need and a man at the beginning of every great human advance. Every one of these must be right for that particular moment of history, or nothing happens.
My Life with Martin Luther King Jr., Revised Edition (1969)
The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members ... a heart of grace and a soul generated by love.
We must all begin to question the experts. They have not really been right. No abundance of material goods can compensate for the death of individuality and personal creativity.
Harvard class day address (1968)
I'm more determined than ever that my husband's dream will become a reality.
I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation.
Shadow in the Land : Homosexuality in America (1989)
We have a lot more work to do in our common struggle against bigotry and discrimination.
Mama and Daddy King represent the best in manhood and womanhood, the best in a marriage, the kind of people we are trying to become.
Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.
Segregation was wrong when it was forced by white people, and I believe it is still wrong when it is requested by black people.
The Last Word : A Treasury of Women's Quotes (1992)
I support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1994 because I believe that freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience.
Because his task was not finished, I felt that I must re-dedicate myself to the completion of his work.
My Life with Martin Luther King Jr., Revised Edition (1969)
Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation. That is what we have not taught young people, or older ones for that matter. You do not finally win a state of freedom that is protected forever. It doesn't work that way.
My Life with Martin Luther King Jr., Revised Edition (1969)
Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.
Understanding Cultural Diversity in Today's Complex World (2006)
We have to launch a national campaign against homophobia in the black community
I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy.
The more visible signs of protest are gone, but I think there is a realization that the tactics of the late sixties are not sufficient to meet the challenges of the seventies.
The Quotable Woman (1978)
If American women would increase their voting turnout by ten percent, I think we would see an end to all of the budget cuts in programs benefiting women and children.
I'm fulfilled in what I do... I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes — the finer things of life — would make you happy. My concept of happiness is to be filled in a spiritual sense.
Mary Lou Retton's Gateways to Happiness (2000)
Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group.
Our Congress passes laws that subsidize corporations, farms, oil companies, airlines, and houses for suburbia, but when they turn their attention to the poor they suddenly become concerned about balancing the budget and cut back on funds for Head Start.
Harvard class day address (1968)