Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
It is our experience that the nation doesn't move around questions of genuine equality for the poor and for black people until… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
We had no alternative except that of preparing for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
The purpose of direct action is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
Non-violent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community that has constantly refused to… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community that has consistently refused to… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
For years now I have heard the word "wait." It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
Education without direction is a one-sided social value. Direct action without education is a meaningless expression of pure energy. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
We decided to set our direct-action program around the Easter season, realizing that, with exception of Christmas, this was the largest shopping… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
The strong man holds in a living blend strongly marked opposites. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original American, the Indian, was an inferior race. ... We are… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
Every genuine expression of love grows out of a consistent and total surrender to God. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
The supreme task is to organize and unite people so that their anger becomes a transforming force. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
The great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
Somebody must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and the chain of evil in the universe. And… — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
What seems so necessary today may not even be desirable tomorrow. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
The Negro cannot win the respect of his oppressor by acquiescing; he merely increases the oppressor's arrogance and contempt. — Martin Luther King, Jr Copy Share Image
