When things could not possibly get any worse, they did. My heart goes out to George Floyd, his family and friends, and especially those who must still fight for equality. It saddens me to live in a world where the efforts of millions have still not brought justice for the Black Lives Matter movement. While it is easy to fight violence with violence, it is important to remember that words can speak louder than actions. Here are a few quotes with some extremely powerful words to fuel your fight.
1) “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
2) “People learn to hate, and if they learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.” –Nelson Mandela
3) “We’ve all got light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” –Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
4) “If you are afraid to use your voice, give up your seat at the table.” –Michelle Obama
5) “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” –Elie Wiesel
6) “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” –Benjamin Franklin
7) “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” –The Lorax
8) “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” –Angela Y. Davis
9) “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” –Desmond Tutu
10) If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means keep moving.” –Martin Luther King Jr.
I hope in the future we can drive out ALL prejudice, but first we must focus on those that need help now. There are several petitions to sign and foundations to give to. Anything helps, no matter how small the effort.