By Dee Reed
Associate vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion
As we commemorate legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of his impact as the most pivotal leader in the civil rights movement. A strong advocate of nonviolence, King encouraged socially disadvantaged African Americans to fight for equality through peaceful protest. His dedication to nonviolent protests and led to the dismantling of segregation laws and to the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A true catalyst for change, King is recognized as the epitome of racial equality and provided a moral and ethical conscious for social justice. While assassinated in 1968, his powerful words continue to serve as examples of compassion, strength, and a commitment to equality, inclusion and justice.
The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College community values the wisdom in King’s most recognized quotes and shares how they resonate today.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
MLK was a person of great insight, and I feel that this quote emphasizes the motivation behind his life mission. This quote truly resonates with me because it is a reminder to never let something morally wrong slip by for any reason. It is important to fight for what you believe in, and in doing so, you are playing a role in making the world a better, and more just place.
Lillie Gendel, Freshman, Math Major
“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.”
This quote is so important to me because it is saying that giving up is never an option. It doesn’t matter how tiny the forward movement is, it is still an improvement. When I’m tired and feeling defeated, I have to remind myself that giving up isn’t an option and pushing forward is what I need to do.
Alex Crabb, Sophomore, Psychology Major
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
This reminds me how love and light help guide us through this life. We cannot continue to allow hate and darkness to fuel us, otherwise, what are we living for? The quote falls in line with my personal values to always see/be the good in everything. I try to always look to the positives and only let light and love guide my life, especially through the hard times. If we all let light and love guide our lives, we will be in a much better place.
Nicole Hageny, Associate Director of Campus Life
“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
I believe this quote is an important one to carry with you. Everyone is different; everyone is living a unique life. My best might not look like someone else’s best, and that is okay.
Sydney McCammon, Junior, Psychology Major
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
We have this quote on a sign in front of our home. To me, any injustice to anyone, no matter how small, creates a platform for all kinds of injustices. It is my job to fight each injustice that occurs at any level, and to speak up when I see it happening. I cannot be silent because my silence is complicity.
Wendy Walter, Ph.D., Associate Professor Chair – Education Department
“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.”
This quote really speaks to me because sometimes it is hard to move on at the pace you are going but it is okay to slow down, as long as you keep trying your hardest to keep going. I live this quote out by trying my best to move forward and to keep pushing myself, even if I do not want to. I do not allow myself to take any opportunities to give up.
James Mattox, freshman
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
This is my favorite quote of Martin Luther King Jr.’s because it holds a great deal of wisdom in how we should handle difficult situations, especially those that involve hateful actions towards others. We cannot approach hate with hate, as that with only foster hatred within ourselves and others. I think that this quote truly embodies the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr’s mission — to fight racial injustice with love and perseverance, but not hate or anger, because he knew it wouldn’t help his mission.
Erika Schweppe, Senior, Psychology Major
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
This quote really speaks to me because although I have made some mistakes in my life there is never a better time than right now to do better. Although it may not feel like it is the right time to fix things you regret or even continue things you know you need to do, it is always the right time to do what you know deep down is correct.
Hailey Longardner, Sophomore, Nursing and Health Care Administration double major
“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.
As I reflect on this quote, I am reminded that I have disliked the word “can’t” from my earliest memories of childhood. There always seemed to be something on the “can’t” list, when what I wanted to do was experience the “can” parts of the world. Dr. King, through his words and actions, challenged us to find the “can” moments in life, lean into them and dream of a future that is more full of possibilities than it isn’t. So, I decided to throw out the word “can’t” and choose to see every “no” as a “not yet.”
Karen Dyer, Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
This quote has been instrumental in my personal and professional life in that when you allow the blind to lead the blind you never find light. You never find success and you never find peace. The ability to see the present for what it is and to look at the future for the sake of opportunities will allow you to put the past into perspective. This has allowed me to shape my personal, professional, and spiritual well-being.
Terry Bowe, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Hate is darkness. Love is light. When you are in a dark room and you light a match, the light immediately shines before you. Just a small light can remove so much darkness! To me, a woman of faith, I am to be a light in this dark world. Therefore, doing something kind or extending love to another person — even something small — can immediately add light to a dark day, situation or person’s life.
Kristy Fry, Director of Creative Services
“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. had a clarity on right and wrong and an amazing ability not to let fear stop him. It gave him the ability to mobilize people to right wrongs and made him a threat to the status quo. He is saying a couple of things here that should be guiding forces in a well-lived life. 1) Don’t just do nothing. You don’t have to do it all, but don’t ignore the wrongs you see. 2) Your part does matter in making the world a better place, so do it as well as you can. These ideas enable us to start doing the things that are in front of us and keep going from there.
Susan Dolle, Director of Grants Development
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
This quote is one of my favorites because it literally describes my day-to-day life. I am a sucker for wanting to know answers and planning my future, but faith isn’t about the knowing or what’s next on the agenda. Faith is like the wind, we necessarily don’t see it and yet we can feel its presence. My faith is doing my best to trust the process, allowing providence to lead the way, guiding my steps one day at a time.
Ariana Hall, sophomore, music therapy major
“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.”
This quote has stuck by me since I first heard a recording of Dr. King’s sermon as a college freshman. To me, his words are a clear call to action for those of us who embrace and preach equality. We cannot become comfortable in our own situations until all of those around us are able to be comfortable in theirs. For me, this means listening to the concerns of others and believing them when they point out injustices; once I’ve listened, then it is time to help them speak and stand up for what’s right—even at the risk of my own discomfort.
Antonia Taylor, MA, Associate Director of Academic Services for Student Success, Senior Lecturer for Languages and Literature
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
When there is an injustice or blatant falsehood being put forth, there comes a time when it’s a moral obligation to use your voice in opposition or be counted as perpetrator of injustice and falsehoods. I do not want others to misconstrue my silence as acceptance for their actions. This is the first step in showing solidarity.
Mike King, MA., Director of Institutional Research
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
In my life as a woman, I have learned to anticipate. I anticipate the discomfort of a male driver’s gaze that lingered too long as I took my morning jog, or the possibility of my child finding that permanent marker I left on the counter. While my ability to imagine that car following me or that creative scribbling on my walls is well-intact, oftentimes, my faith is not.
This quote reminds me that a life of standing still on the steps in fear is no life at all and that it is possible to anticipate greatness at the top of the stairs.
Mari Jackson ’18, MLD Student
Dee Reed ’08 works to define and build a culture that embraces and values the uniqueness of all people. As the Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, she provides the strategic direction to advance an inclusive and equitable work and learning environment for the campus community. With more than 20 years in marketing and communications in higher education, she has led creative teams and marketing initiatives. Reed strongly believes in community engagement as a way to make lasting, positive impact in the world. She serves on several boards and serves as a Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Terre Haute.
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