The Negroes of America had taken the President, the press and the pulpit at their word when they spoke in broad terms of freedom and justice. But the absence of brutality and unregenerate evil is not the presence of justice. To stay murder is not the same thing as to ordain brotherhood.
Martin Luther King, Jr.Through nonviolent resistance the Negro will be able to rise to the noble height of opposing the unjust system while loving the perpetrators of the system.
Martin Luther King, Jr.To have serpentlike qualities devoid of dovelike qualities is to be passionless, mean, and selfish.
Martin Luther King, Jr.I feel that segregation is totally unchristian, and that it is against everything the Christian religion stands for.
Martin Luther King, Jr.Resistance and nonviolence are not in themselves good. There is another element that must be present in our struggle that then makes our resistance and nonviolence truly meaningful. That element is reconciliation. Our ultimate end must be the creation of the beloved community.
Martin Luther King, Jr.