On 15th January, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr was born. He is one of the most influential people from the modern age, inspiring numerous people from marginalised communities to fight for their rights.

In the United States of America, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the Monday closest to the late figure’s birth anniversary, due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act enacted in 1968.

Martin Luther King Jr advocated for civil rights for people of colour in the United States through the use of nonviolent resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience against Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination in the United States, taking inspiration from India’s Mahatma Gandhi. His ‘I Have a Dream’ speech delivered on Lincoln Steps on Aug. 28, 1963, is one of the most quoted and remembered speeches in history.

For his valiant efforts, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 14, 1964. During his last years, he raised his voice against poverty and the Vietnam War. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, where he planned to conduct the Poor People's Campaign.

In this article, we would like to look at some of the values and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr and how his principles are relevant, despite the cultural differences and generational gap.

1. Reduce Hate, Increase Love

“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.” - Martin Luther King

Being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, it is no surprise that Martin Luther King strongly believed in the power of love. According to him, hate for hate just increases hostility.

2. Don’t Judge People By Their Appearance

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.” - Martin Luther King

Unfortunately, even today people are judged by their race and appearance. People with darker skin are looked down upon, and people from foreign races and religions are regularly discriminated against. Martin Luther wanted us to spend more time focusing on the moral character of the person, rather than the colour of their skin.

3. Keep Moving Forward

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - Martin Luther King

Despite being incarcerated numerous times, Martin Luther King kept on pushing forward. His belief in his dream was so strong, that he refused to let anything come in the way. We can take inspiration from this and keep moving forward with our dreams despite our circumstances.

4. Strive for Education

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” - Martin Luther King

Hate speech is regularly used to brainwash the masses for them to agitate. The only way to counter hate speech is through education. Critical thinking allows children to analyse subjects from multiple points of view, and arrive at a just conclusion.

5. Stand Up For What is Right

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr

Inclusive movements are the way to move forward. One should stand up for what is right, despite them not belonging to our group. We should encourage people to stand up whenever we see injustice happening.

Child Help Foundation would like to share the vision of Martin Luther King Jr and help people without the lens of religion or race.

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