Martin Luther King, Jr. was a social activist and Baptist minister who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King sought equality and human rights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and all victims of injustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, which helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and is remembered each year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday since 1986.

Quotes from Dr. King:

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Our students, teachers and staff members will have Monday, January 21st off for the MLK holiday. We hope they, along with the whole Goshen community, will have a chance to learn more about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.