--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was told that Daddy was murdered by a…" description: "\"I was told that Daddy was murdered by a white man. I could have adopted an attitude of hating whites. But then in 1974 my grandmother was killed by a b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/martin-luther-king-iii-5061_attitude_i-was-told-that-daddy-was-murdered-by-a_304185.png" --- # I was told that Daddy was murdered by a white man. I could… ![“I was told that Daddy was murdered by a white man. I could have adopted an attitude of hating whites. But then in 1974 my grandmother was killed by a black man, so I could have hated blacks too.” quote by Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/martin-luther-king-iii-5061_attitude_i-was-told-that-daddy-was-murdered-by-a_304185.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/martin-luther-king-iii-5061_attitude_i-was-told-that-daddy-was-murdered-by-a_304185.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/martin-luther-king-iii-5061_attitude_i-was-told-that-daddy-was-murdered-by-a_304185.png) > “I was told that Daddy was murdered by a white man. I could have adopted an attitude of hating whites. But then in 1974 my grandmother was killed by a black man, so I could have hated blacks too.” [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker recounts personal experiences of racial violence affecting both sides, highlighting the futility of hatred and the importance of transcending it. **In simple terms:** He learned hatred leads nowhere; choose unity. Key Takeaway Reject hatred, seek common humanity. Themes race violence forgiveness Mood somber hopeful Type activist reflective When to use this quote - civil rights activism - family history - community building Key Concepts racism personal loss reconciliation Questions to Reflect On - How can personal loss be transformed into empathy? - What steps foster cross‑racial healing? A Different Perspective Personal trauma can entrench bias despite rational choice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Daddy Murdered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daddy-murdered-2899506/) [Grandmother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandmother/) [Grandmother Killed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandmother-killed-2899507/) [Hated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hated/) [Hated Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hated-blacks-2899505/) [Hating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hating/) [Hating Whites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hating-whites-2899504/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) ## Related quotes > [Hating niggas ain't phasing me, you couldn't walk a mile in my foot work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-hood/hating-niggas-ain-t-phasing-me-you-couldn-t-walk-a-mile-in-my-foot/) [Ace Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-hood/) > ['Diversity' is a wonderfully seductive word. It stresses differences rather than commonalities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lamm/diversity-is-a-wonderfully-seductive-word-it-stresses-differences/) [Richard Lamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lamm/) > [This time we'll hate, alright - but we'll hate the enemy - the vicious gang of colored scum attackers and Jewish-Communist traitors - rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lincoln-rockwell/this-time-we-ll-hate-alright-but-we-ll-hate-the-enemy-the-vicious/) [George Lincoln Rockwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lincoln-rockwell/) > [“You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, every day. You have to keep remembering all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-l-stedman/you-only-have-to-forgive-once-to-resent-you-have-to-do-it-all-day/) [M.L. Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-l-stedman/) > [“Don’t waste your time hating me; you can’t change me. Instead, hate your impotent life; THAT you can change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/don-t-waste-your-time-hating-me-you-can-t-change-me-instead-hate-your/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [We've been scorned, exposed, I mean, I don't even know what word to use. But we're persona non grata in the gay community in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santos/we-ve-been-scorned-exposed-i-mean-i-don-t-even-know-what-word-to-use/) [George Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santos/) > [There is only one way of not hating those who do us wrong, and that is by doing them good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/there-is-only-one-way-of-not-hating-those-who-do-us-wrong-and-that-is/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [I was haunted always by my other life-my drab room in the Bronx, my square foot of the subway, my fixation upon the day's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/i-was-haunted-always-by-my-other-life-my-drab-room-in-the-bronx-my/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Holding Your Anger Is A Poison. It Eats You From Inside. We Think That Hating Is A Weapon That Attacks The Person Who Harmed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/holding-your-anger-is-a-poison-it-eats-you-from-inside-we-think-that/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [“The thing is, I’ve never believed in feuds. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve been angry with people. Very angry – with people like Patrick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/the-thing-is-i-ve-never-believed-in-feuds-don-t-get-me-wrong-i-ve/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [“What I'm trying to say is that I spent the last four months learning to be alone, avoiding the world, hating pretty much anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/what-i-m-trying-to-say-is-that-i-spent-the-last-four-months-learning/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [When you speak the truth watch the fuck niggas start hating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-speak-the-truth-watch-the-fuck-niggas-start-hating/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Try not to confuse having haters with people actually hating you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/try-not-to-confuse-having-haters-with-people-actually-hating-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can have examples of reasons to hate people, but if you analyze those reasons it's like, Oh, I'm hating that person based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlyne-yi/you-can-have-examples-of-reasons-to-hate-people-but-if-you-analyze/) [Charlyne Yi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlyne-yi/) > [There comes a point where certain things are becoming my Achilles heel; you know when you start repeating yourself and saying the same anecdotes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-elson/there-comes-a-point-where-certain-things-are-becoming-my-achilles/) [Karen Elson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-elson/) ## More by Martin Luther King III > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [And I think that, at some point, I am, as John Lewis and many others, are a bridge-builder. The goal is to bring America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/and-i-think-that-at-some-point-i-am-as-john-lewis-and-many-others-are/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [If I woke up every day attempting to be my father, I would fail miserably. I think he was anointed. He was chosen by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/if-i-woke-up-every-day-attempting-to-be-my-father-i-would-fail/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [I just think we have to create the climate so that people will come out on election day and vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/i-just-think-we-have-to-create-the-climate-so-that-people-will-come/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [I think we have got to do a better job explaining to people why their vote does count. I think people feel disconnected from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/i-think-we-have-got-to-do-a-better-job-explaining-to-people-why-their/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [There is more racial integration in American life and many more people of color serving as elected officials and corporate leaders than there were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/there-is-more-racial-integration-in-american-life-and-many-more/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Our family has always drawn on the power from above to comfort us in times of despair and stress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/our-family-has-always-drawn-on-the-power-from-above-to-comfort-us-in/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Many feel that in today's climate some of those in authority are exercising, in effect, a self-serving, 'ends justify the means' mindset as well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/many-feel-that-in-today-s-climate-some-of-those-in-authority-are/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [African Americans are not going to be fooled by any group supported by industrial polluters. They know climate change is real and that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/african-americans-are-not-going-to-be-fooled-by-any-group-supported/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [There's something wrong in a nation where six million black men are not allowed to vote because they were convicted of felonies. They've paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/there-s-something-wrong-in-a-nation-where-six-million-black-men-are/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Our challenge is to mobilize a new coalition of conscience to restore the Voting Rights Act, strengthen voting rights and broaden voter access in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/our-challenge-is-to-mobilize-a-new-coalition-of-conscience-to-restore/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [You know, when you've idolized something, you put it on a shelf, lift it up, and when King Day comes out, you pull it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/you-know-when-you-ve-idolized-something-you-put-it-on-a-shelf-lift-it/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [The March on Washington was a defining moment in the history of this country and a great example of our nation truly living up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/the-march-on-washington-was-a-defining-moment-in-the-history-of-this/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [On March 7, 1965, some 600 civil rights activists marched in Selma, Alabama, demanding an end to racial discrimination. The demonstration was led by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/on-march-7-1965-some-600-civil-rights-activists-marched-in-selma/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Martin Luther King Jr. was an impassioned advocate of economic justice as well as social justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/martin-luther-king-jr-was-an-impassioned-advocate-of-economic-justice/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) [Explore all 103 Martin Luther King III quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was told that Daddy was murdered by a white man. I could have adopted an attitude of hating whites. 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