Motivation Mondays: Silence Is Betrayal – #MLKDAY
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” Martin Luther King, Jr
Motivation Mondays: Silence Is Betrayal – #MLKDAY
Motivation Mondays: Silence Is Betrayal – #MLKDAY
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | The View
MLK Talks ‘New Phase’ Of Civil Rights Struggle, 11 Months Before His Assassination | NBC News
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Martin Luther King, Jr
Silence is Betrayal:– As we approach both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday on the 15th and the 25th anniversary of the Federal government designated holiday – MLK Day on the 20th, I’ve decided to revisit some of his words of wisdom on the subject of SILENCE because they are applicable to all areas of our lives. Even though Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spent less than 13 years, from December 1955 to April 4, 1968, as a key leader of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, he left behind an impressive, inspired body of work that remains a timeless legacy of his passion for peace, unity, and equality. His vision, his philosophy, and his quotes are infused with the same degree of passion and advice he had for us as a community of people who share a common inextricable destiny as humans on this planet. If we consider his message on the dangers of silence, we soon realize that being silent about evil or injustice will inevitably have an impact on our lives. To turn a blind eye in the face of evil and pretend it is not happening or to wish it away is not going to change the situation.
How are we using silence to negate ourselves and others? As a matter of fact, the more we ignore an issue, the more we resist a condition, the more it persists and festers. When we refuse to be silenced by our oppressors in the workplace, at home, our schools and elsewhere, we are taking a stand to end the abuse against us and also against others. Every time we stand up and speak out against acts of violence, discrimination, and the negation of our existence, we are also speaking for the voiceless and facilitating change. When we see something and say nothing, we might give an excuse that it is none of our business but, the actions we ignore can someday lead to more pain and suffering for people close to us or, frankly, for us. To be proactive about ending violence, workplace harassment, and other forms of abuse/discrimination, we must all become engineers of change. Each of us must answer the following questions and search our conscience on why we choose to sit back and turn away from the suffering and denial of basic rights and aid for others: What are you doing for others? How is the tyranny of silence affecting our relationships and other areas of our lives? Read the quotes, poems and watch the videos and reflect on them.
To Be or Not to Be SILENT: Please do NOT confuse the silence discussed here with the silence we observe when we are being contemplative or reflective about issues that need to be carefully weighed. Let’s not confuse the silence explored here with the silence I wrote about in another blog post on SILENCE or Haiku on the POWER of SILENCE. This post is completely different from those posts because this is written in the context of Dr. King’s legacy, the Civil Rights Movement, and his efforts against racial discrimination, poverty, and inequality. We can choose to be silent whenever we want. The points being raised here have to do with oppression, discrimination, and abuse. There is NEVER a good excuse for remaining silent in the face of oppression, discrimination, and hate. Come Back For More!
READ:- Motivation Mondays: Reflections on #MLKDAY 2019
Motivation Mondays: Walk in the Light #MLKDay 2018
Motivation Mondays: Why Does #MLKDAY Matter? 2017
Martin Luther King, Jr. at Columbia | Columbia Magazine
Breaking The Silence by Lovina Sylvia Chidi
Shush! Silence
I’m breaking the silence
As I finish this sentence
Six months ago
My heart said yes
My head said no, go slow
In my silence I hid the truth, expressing fear
In my silence I hid my feelings, registering no care
In my silence I hid my thoughts, refusing to share
Any of my ideas
Prosperous is the silence
Abundance of it can turn life
Into a nasty experience
Shush! Silence
I’m breaking the silence
As I finish this sentence
Ceaselessly I’ve combated with my conscience
Endlessly in silence, I exposed my defense
Allowing all to penetrate my territory without a valid license
I should have said no with my voice
I should have asked why by making some noise
In silence, I created an air of suspense
And they capitalized on it in my absence
In silence, all my thoughts mingled
Some of which should have been singled
Shush! Silence
I’m breaking the silence
As I finish this sentence
Silence I demand
Give back to me my independence
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King, Jr
Motivation Mondays: Silence Is Betrayal – #MLKDAY
Motivation Mondays: Silence Is Betrayal – #MLKDAY
Martin Luther King – I Have A Dream Speech – August 28, 1963
Martin Luther King The Three Evils of Society
It’s not the violence of the few that scares me, it’s the silence of the many
All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.
Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.
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.
Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think. Martin Luther King, Jr
How is the tyranny of silence affecting our relationships and other areas of our lives? When we stay silent about tyrants and their behavior, we become part of the problem, not the solution. When I was a little girl, we lived next door to a family that was very abusive towards their daughter. She was much older than us and they were always yelling at her, beating her up and calling her names because she was a weak student. They kept her locked in the house and, every time my friends and I would sneak up to her home and look through the window, we’d see her sitting at the dining table, looking miserable with books opened before her. There was a time we caught her crying desperately, we all felt so sad for her. It made no sense to me that any parent would think it was the right way to encourage learning. It wasn’t. It was vicious and psychologically damaging to that teen girl.
After much debate and discussion with my friends, we agreed that I should, at least, tell my mother about what was going on next door. My mom was outraged and confronted the parents right away. Thankfully, they didn’t deny what they were doing but, instead, they decided to move away. Before they moved, they had several conversations with my parents and made an effort to change their tactics. At different points in my life, that memory surfaces and reminds me that even children recognize wrongdoing and that staying silent is not always the best option. I wonder what became of that young girl, and I hope that my simple act of letting my Mom know might have saved her life. By the same token, Dr. King did not ignore the oppression around him because he believed that change must begin by taking action and using our voices to condemn discriminatory practices. He spoke up.
When we see abusive behavior and stay silent, we become co-conspirators of the abuser. Some people say they don’t want to get caught in other people’s drama and that is why they stay silent. What I am advocating is to, at least, make an effort to report the situation, share it with other like-minded folks, and reach out to the abused to support them to take more action. Every step we take in the right direction is a step towards freedom and the end of abuse for someone. The MeToo movement came about as a result of women finally taking a stand to stop sexual harassment in the workplace. As women stepped forward to share their testimony of abuse, they emboldened other women to gain the confidence they needed to step forward and do the same; by breaking the code of silence, they broke the chains of abuse.
When we stand for something, we put a stop to the tyranny of silence that clouds our decisions. While we might not always be successful at encouraging people to change, our effort is never wasted. Sometimes, a message we share reaches those who need it indirectly. The first and biggest step is to step forward and name evil. Call out the injustice and stand by your decision. If you don’t do it, who will? We have a shared responsibility to protect our planet and our lives on it. Each of us has a role to play. You don’t need a platform or a podium, you need your inner conviction to stand up and speak up. What can we do to help those around us who are struggling to end family violence, feed their families and protect loved ones against prejudice? We can speak out about our own struggles and those of our loved ones and support them with compassion and care. We can file reports or reach out to relevant agencies like the NDVO, SNAP, and EEOC to get them much needed assistance. We can all study more and become advocates for change by learning about social justice. Dr. King’s philosophical leanings were steeped in battling for social justice; he spoke out against the Triple Evils of Poverty, Racism, and Militarism and how these evils impact the Black community. He understood clearly that what we do to others will affect our own, and wishing better for others will ultimately benefit our own. Our approach or tone might be different but the goal would be the same. Don’t be silent.
READ:- Motivation Mondays: I Have A Dream – #MLKDay 2016
Motivation Mondays: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Most Inspired Quotes 2015
Weekly Photo Challenge: What Does Humanity Mean? 2014
Silence by Edgar Lee Masters
I have known the silence of the stars and of the sea,
And the silence of the city when it pauses,
And the silence of a man and a maid,
And the silence of the sick
When their eyes roam about the room.
And I ask: For the depths,
Of what use is language?
A beast of the field moans a few times
When death takes its young.
And we are voiceless in the presence of realities —
We cannot speak.
A curious boy asks an old soldier
Sitting in front of the grocery store,
“How did you lose your leg?”
And the old soldier is struck with silence,
Or his mind flies away
Because he cannot concentrate it on Gettysburg.
It comes back jocosely
And he says, “A bear bit it off.”
And the boy wonders, while the old soldier
Dumbly, feebly lives over
The flashes of guns, the thunder of cannon,
The shrieks of the slain,
And himself lying on the ground,
And the hospital surgeons, the knives,
And the long days in bed.
But if he could describe it all
He would be an artist.
But if he were an artist there would be deeper wounds
Which he could not describe.
There is the silence of a great hatred,
And the silence of a great love,
And the silence of an embittered friendship.
There is the silence of a spiritual crisis,
Through which your soul, exquisitely tortured,
Comes with visions not to be uttered
Into a realm of higher life.
There is the silence of defeat.
There is the silence of those unjustly punished;
And the silence of the dying whose hand
Suddenly grips yours.
There is the silence between father and son,
When the father cannot explain his life,
Even though he be misunderstood for it.
There is the silence that comes between husband and wife.
There is the silence of those who have failed;
And the vast silence that covers
Broken nations and vanquished leaders.
There is the silence of Lincoln,
Thinking of the poverty of his youth.
And the silence of Napoleon
After Waterloo.
And the silence of Jeanne d’Arc
Saying amid the flames, “Blessed Jesus” —
Revealing in two words all sorrows, all hope.
And there is the silence of age,
Too full of wisdom for the tongue to utter it
In words intelligible to those who have not lived
The great range of life.
And there is the silence of the dead.
If we who are in life cannot speak
Of profound experiences,
Why do you marvel that the dead
Do not tell you of death?
Their silence shall be interpreted
As we approach them.
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for DEC 2019 – JAN 2020 are:
12/01 – 01 World AIDS Day, 03 Giving Tuesday, World Day of Persons with Disabilities, 05 International Volunteer Day, 07 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
12/08 – 09 International Day Commemoration Victims of Genocide, 10 Universal Human Rights Month/Human Rights Day, 12 Universal Health Coverage Day
12/15 – 15 Bill of Rights Day, 18 International Migrants Day, 20 International Human Solidarity Day, 21 Winter Solstice
12/22 – 22 First Day of Hanukkah, 25 Christmas Day, 26 Boxing Day, First Day of Kwanzaa
12/29 – 30 Last Day of Hanukkah, 31 New Year’s Eve
01/01 – 01 HAPPY NEW YEAR!,
01/05 – 05 Golden Globes Awards, 06 Epiphany, 11 Human Trafficking Awareness Day,
01/12 – 12 Critics Choice Awards, 14 Orthodox New Year, 16 Religious Freedom Day, 18 PGA Awards, Winnie the Pooh Day
01/19 – 20
01/29 – 30 TBD
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2019?
- Join Our Blog Support & Engagement Group
- Check out the Daily Post for Inspiration. Resources. Idea
- Checkout Your Daily Word Prompts
- Check out SheKnows for SheKnows Living
MORE BELOW
“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” Martin Luther King, Jr
Motivation Mondays: Silence Is Betrayal – #MLKDAY
Motivation Mondays: Silence Is Betrayal – #MLKDAY
MLK: The Other America
Martin Luther King Jr. Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.
If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream. Martin Luther King, Jr
What are you doing for others? Be of service to others. Go Serve! During the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s, many lives were lost because of the refusal by both government agencies and individuals to acknowledge the need for more research, access to appropriate treatment/drugs, and effective help and support to those affected in our communities. A popular phrase that came out of the movement to bring global attention to the epidemic was the phrase Silence=Death. That phrase remains relevant today in so many parts of our global family because it is pertinent to all critical events that have a life-changing impact globally. We can champion change in small and large ways. How? When you write a post on a subject that needs attention, contribute to a worthy cause/charity or volunteer your time with an organization that needs assistance, you are contributing something to aid change. When we remember to give back to our communities by helping other folks in need, we are speaking out through our actions.
What is your Moral Compass? Take a position that will benefit us all and defend it. Rosa Parks refused to sit at the back of the bus and that single act of defiance triggered the movement to end racial discrimination on public transportation. The reverberations of that singular action were felt beyond the act itself, and it championed others to stand fearlessly against oppression. While Dr. King gave his voice and ultimately his life to the Civil rights movement, he did not act alone. He encouraged many folks across the racial divide to step up and speak up. After his assassination, his message and legacy continued because so many people believed his message of peace, unity, and equality. Many more were already part of the movement and they kept up the demands for change. How do we sleep at night while so many face unimaginable challenges every day?
Why does this matter? It matters because to be silent in the face of hatred and oppression is to condone it. As I’ve shared in other posts on this subject, Dr. King was a torchbearer who shone his light on the ugly darkness of hatred and oppression. As the years go by and a new generation of Americans learn about his life and legacy, his message and call for action will continue to resonate in our hearts and mind and will shine even brighter. Why is his message still relevant some might wonder…? Because he spoke to our hearts so eloquently about the discriminatory practices going on then and that, in many cases, continue to go on today. He was fearless about shining a light on the truth and the atrocities of the day. He walked his talk and spoke up for changes that would benefit all of us. His selfless acts inspired many others to stand in their truth and condemn the treatment of the oppressed. Dr. King’s courage and passion for equality continue to serve as a shining path for all of us to walk on and be reminded that we must remain vigilant and stand up against all forms of oppression. When we turn a blind eye to one form of oppression, we encourage the perpetuation of others… When we remain silent about wrongdoing, and, brush it off because we believe it has no impact on our lives, one day it will…
READ:- Dr. Martin Luther King & President Obama: Faith In The Dream… 2013
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Legacy Of Courage & Hope… 2012
Kismet: A Single Garment of Destiny 2011
Any Zen Antics stories via 
Positive Motivation Tip: To be silent in the face of hatred and oppression is to condone it. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Silence=Death.
Motivation Mondays series is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.
Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
Related Posts
- Motivation 2020: HAPPY NEW YEAR (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: DECEMBER WISHES (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: GIVING THANKS (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: GirlForce: Unscripted & Unstoppable #dayofthegirl (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: The Power of Storytelling (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: The Golden Rule (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: 100 July 4th Quotes – Independence Day (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: RESPITE (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: 21 Inspiring Yoga Quotes & Poems #YogaDay2019 (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: For Our Fathers #fathersday (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Tips For June (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Remember & Honor #MemorialDay (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Down Memory Lane (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: SELF-CARE (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: For Our Mothers #mothersday (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Peace with Our Past(mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: PROTECT OUR EARTH (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: RESURRECTION (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Live Your Wild and Precious Life (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: The Seven Selves (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Day of Happiness & Spring #internationaldayofhappiness(mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: St Patrick’s Day Facts & Quotes (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day – #IWD2019 #BalanceforBetter #InnovateForChange ((mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: BLACK HISTORY MONTH (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: 45 Inspiring Quotes from U.S. Presidents (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: LOVE Is… #HappyValentinesDay (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Lunar New Year #YearOfThePig (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: SELF-CONTROL(mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Reflections on #MLKDay(mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Power of Gratitude (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Keep It Simple (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Ending & Beginning #HappyNewYear2019 (mirthandmotivation)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos – via Pixabay, WIKIPEDIA
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Trackbacks
- Motivation 2020: Heart to Heart | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: International Women’s Day #GenerationEquality #EachforEqual | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #GenerationEquality #EachforEqual | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: Thoughts & Tips on #COVID-19 | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: Easter & Passover | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: Earth Day Poems & Climate Action | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: For Mother’s Day #mothersday | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: Mental Health Awareness Month & Memorial Day | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: May Peace, Love & Justice Prevail #blackoutday | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: On Father’s Day #FathersDay | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: 20 Famous July 4th Poems To Remember #IndependenceDay | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: Nelson Mandela Day #MandelaQuotes #MandelaDay | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation 2020: Veterans Day Poems & Quotes | Mirth and Motivation
- Motivation Mondays: MLK Day – I Have A Dream Speech | Mirth and Motivation
- REFLECTIONS: Happy New Year! #stayhealthy | Mirth and Motivation
Very inspiring and powerful words here. Thank you for the motivation to keep helping others!
Thank you for checking in.
I always enjoyed reading your blogs, the poems and quotes are just so motivating. Thanks kor sharing..!
I think as humans we have to choose our words carefully. Our words can deeply effect others and we should always think before we speak! There is a time to speak and a time to keep quite.
True… for everything there is a season. But, please read my post again. My post is about speaking up in the face of wrongdoing not just for the heck of it. There is a difference. In the presence of evil, there is never a time to be silent.
I always thought silence was golden, duct tape was silver, and the voice is platinum? Great blog post.
Yes, it is but, never in the face of oppression or abuse. We all have a moral responsibility to speak up on such matters.
Thank you for being strong and having the voice to speak up and help make much needed changes.
It’s so powerful, I like your style of writing.
What a meaningful and informative post, I love the way you write and how much information you include.
Thank you Luna, the sentiments are mutual. 🙂
I try to help others as much as I can!! MLK Was such a great inspiration!!
Good for you. It is noble to serve others. TY!
We should definitely speak up more. It’z such a powerful post. Love it!
I think that we live in a world where more and more things happen because people stay silent. And when they do rise and try to voice out their concerns, nobody seems to be listening. It’s not even the beginning of 2020 and so many things happened already….
So true… we have those who don’t speak, those we are stopped from speaking, and the rest of us who need to value our freedom of speech. It’s a precious gift and we must use it wisely. 🙂
This is a powerful post and is very insightful for the current times we are in. There is so much going on that we need to speak up about! Thank you!
Yes… and so good to see you here. So much going on in the world today and we must not bury our heads in the sand.
You included one of my favorite mlk quotes that I use all the time! Silence is absolutely not the way.
Service to others is key! It will bring not only happiness to them but you as well. Glad you wrote about it and encouraged people to serve others. Imagine how awesome the world would be if everyone just served one person a week or even a month. Amazing.
Yes, charity begins within and at our doorsteps.
A very meaningful, thoughtful, and informative post. Thank you for drawing attention to the dangers of silence and the importance of investing in the well-being of others.
Thank you!
“Motivation Mondays” – such a cool series. Monday definitely is the day everyone needs all the motivation 😉 😀
I just love this! Thank you so much for sharing this. I really think we all need to speak up for what we believe in, and what we stand for. Freedom of speech really is something we should not take for granted. 🙂
Stephanie S
I haven’t really thought about how much keeping silent can effect so many relationships. It’s not just the big things, but keeping silent about little things can eventually add up.
Definitely… it slowly builds into a monster.
Yes. There does come a time when silence is betrayal. As a vegan animal rights activist I’ve learned the importance of speaking up for those who do not have a voice. Beautiful message you have here!
You always have the most beautiful and inspiring poems. Like most of you readers, Breaking the Silence speaks to my heart and I can relate to it.
I’m glad to hear that. TY!
I appreciate brave people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who speak up and fight for what they believe in. I’m kind of an introvert, but I do try to speak up for things I believe in. This is great inspiration for anyone.
Yes, we all have to do our bit the best way we can.
I very much needed these words today. I’ve been humming and hawing over a situation and you’ve helped me clarify it. I didn’t know Martin Luther King Jr had a day tomorrow and I think I will go pick up a book about him so I can learn more. The quotes of his you’ve shared are beautiful and I’ve added them to my journal.
I’m glad the post brought clarity to your situation.
So important to remember all the great things that Martin Luther King did for us. Lots of great points to think about.
Your blog posts never fail to inspire. Words can either make or break someone so we have to be wise to either speak up or remain silent.
Yes, it requires wisdom…
This is such a powerful read! I think our voices are so. powerful and many dont realize that
When we choose to stay silent and not stand up for anything, we do more damage. We all need to find our voice.
The good Doctor sure left behind some big shoes to fill
I love the MLK Jr, quote about the silence of our friends. It is often true that a person’s character is seen in both how they respond and how they choose not to respond.
This is a very powerful and inspirational post. Thank you.
What a thought-provoking post… totally agree that remaining silent is a betrayal – you have to speak up for what you believe in and for those who can’t!
He is a truly inspiring leader for many. He still lives in the heart of many people.
Truely said. Being Silent sometimes makes people accomplice.
We should make our voices heard, whenever possible.
This was very motivating and convicting! I definitely could and should be doing more! Change doesn’t take place, unless we change!
Indeed! Silence is Betrayal. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
We must speak out against injustice, wrong and even “good”, without fear or favour. That is the only way we can all be free. Remember, injustice for one is injustice for us all.
We all need to remember that… you today, me tomorrow.
It can be scary to speak out about things nowadays because so many people can read about it and get angry with you. But staying silent is worse because it won’t change anything.
Truth spoken!
I feel like this is such a powerful and timely post. Its not only related to Martin Luther King coming up, but also an important reminder for our current political climate.
With the expanding number of media outlets and forms of social expression (such as social media), the significance of each becomes diluted—causing people to feel that their individual statements have little impact. But, it is the smaller, seemingly mundane actions that will actually become more important. Speak to those whom you can influence. En masse, our messages can affect the world.
I agree. Our voices matter. Our actions count for something.
Martin Luther King Jr is such an inspiration to anyone around the world. He is my role model as his famous “I Have a Dream” is inspirational and so powerful. It needs to be heard in this day and age as many have lost the drive to challenge society and be loud. People rather be silent than to question and be loud. It is so sad.
Yes, we have so much noise that it is hard to hear all the voices and definitely the voiceless.
Such a good post. Thank you for sharing a very inspirational post.
This is definitely worth sharing! It takes a lot of courage to stand out and speak. I think spreading this post would be a great way to let everyone know how important it is.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback.
We were truly blessed MLK. We as a society still have so much to learn!
MLK is always a great source of motivation. Such an intelligent, kind, influential figure.
Thank you so much for sharing! It’s so important we speak up and stand up against injustices. So grateful for the inspiring reminders ♡.
Too many people stay silent to avoid conflict. We need to speak up to keep society on the right track.
Nice poems and quotes..! I agree, sometimes we should just listen but sometimes we definitely should speak for ourselves..
This is so powerful and something we ought to remember. Silence could mean compliance to the wrong agenda if we are not careful.
It sure can…
This was extremely informative and interesting! I really enjoyed reading this!
There is an MLK speech for every occasion. Nothing’s changed in decades, it seems.
Amazing job on this blog post! Very informative and a excellent reminder to speak up. Thank you for sharing.
Everything in here was well said. I enjoyed reading every lines such a motivation.
MLK is a hero of mine. Great post.
our words have action. this is a great post and great motivation.
Indifference is selfishness. Some people think that they’d rather be silent, so as not to add to the problem, but you are right, silence can be betrayal, especially when something needs to be heard (or called out).
Are you really going stay behind the scenes, and keep quiet?
I’m with you on this point… I’ve never understood those who stand and watch evil being perpetrated against others. Then they come up with BS excuses for condoning the behavior.
Oh yes… their justfication sucks too.
Breaking your silence is essential to making changes. It’s important to be the voice of those who can’t speak as well.
It can make a difference.
I completely agree that silence is betrayal. Evil thrives when no one speaks up, when no one speaks against it. Indeed we betray the truth, we betray ourselves if we fail to speak up.
Exactly. Thank you!
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
This is the reason why I always stand up for my friends. I always voice out my opinion to support them. We should never be silent.
It took me a while to understand that quote, thanks for sharing such a wonderful blog, it was really a great read.
Happy MLK Day. I am so happy to always come to your blog on national holidays because you will give us a true breakdown of what the day is about!
I appreciate your feedback.
Such a great post. Serving others is important and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I like to prove myself on being someone that is open and shares what I am thinking with others. I enjoy being able to have the freedom of speech.
It’s so important to help others, couldn’t agree more
I have seen my cousin who was silent even after getting abused and tortured by her husband and in-laws! Staying silent is not a solution at all. Loved reading the post, MLK was such a great man.
Sorry to hear that… yes, it is not a solution. Silence=Death
Very inspiring! Loved reading it. Thanks for sharing.
I usually try to go silent but I am trying to change that. My hubby is encouraging me to speak up.
I WILL NOT be silent this MLK day!! Thank you for speaking up and inspiring others to do so as well.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s important to share your voice and be the voice of those who’ve been silenced.
MLK was such a wise man and I think we all learn from him. We all use his quotes once in a while.
Being in silence means a lot to everyone, its about their perspective on how to give meaning.
I totally agree with this. When my daughter was being bullied at school her best friend at the time kept quiet so as not to get herself dragged into it. It got to the stage where one girl threatened to stab my daughter, and the principal asked her best friend if it was true. He said there would be a bag check if she’d heard anything and instead of just saying yes, she shrugged and wouldn’t say anything. That was the last day we ever saw her as the bully pulled a knife out of her bag on the way home and I decided to home educate instead. On this occasion I think the silence was most definitely a betrayal of their friendship :'(
Louise x
Completely agreed… with friends like that, who needs enemies? Yikes!
I’ll try to remember this, sometimes I prefer silence but true, sometimes in silence lurks dark thoughts.
It’s another inspirational post. I liked how you share wisdom to the readers. Thanks for that.
Being careful with the words you utter to someone is very important as words are very very powerful.
I can’t agree more!!! When we don’t voice a concern or opinion about something wrong we’re indirectly encouraging the situation. No one should stay silent.
The more I learn about Martin Luther King jr., the more I am absolutely astonished at his life.
This is a great step back into history and reminder of keeping our communities strong.
We all need to figure out in life what we need to stand for – I feel like that’s crucial for life’s purpose!
I love your motivation Mondays series! Such a great way to start the week, the poem by Lovina Sylvia Chidi was lovely
This is such an important thing to remember. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.
Very powerful, very inspirational.
Martin Luther King is truly a great inspiration. We must use speech to spread love and light, rather than hatred and darkness, which is what seems to be happening nowadays in the world.
Amazing words, I’ve read about him and his inspiring journey. My brother also used to tell us about when talking about motivation.
Thank you so much for this thorough and thoughtful post. Very insightful.
What a great read. MLK was a wise and great man. And I really enjoyed this article. Keep spreading it!!
Such an amazing quote by Martin Luther King Jr. Love your post as well! Very thoughtful
It’s amazing how MLK was able to inspire others to follow his footsteps. Always break the silence by being a voice for others.
I love his powerful words. Sometimes you need to speak up and don’t afraid to depend yourself because it’s a part of our freedom.
I feel like when you speak up about injustices it will cause more change because others may relate to your story. It is important for people to let their voices be heard.
MLK was such an inspiration and profound figure. I’m glad you touched on some of his words here.
Definitely takes courage to speak up and not stay silent. Very inspiring!
One sentence that will stay with me is: ‘What are you doing for others?’
So often we are focused on what we are doing, that we forget that everything we do is in different ways always linked also with other people.
Like a web, set out of many threads.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, loved reading it!
he was such an amazing man. still to this day he can teach us so many lessons.
staying silent when you witness injustice is just as bad as the aggressor. More people need to speak up and stand for what’s right
I have 4 of your beautiful shared poems on my laptop. I always go back to any reading that inspired me to become a better person. Thank you for sharing another beautiful post.
I agree staying silent if you knew something was wrong is just not ethical or right
What a great way to honor Martin Luther King Jr! This is such a powerful and inspirational post and a great way to keep so much of what he did present. Thanks for sharing!
HAPPY MLK DAY!
What an inspirational post! I love the motivation of helping others 🙂
We are given a voice – we should use it if we feel we are being wronged. Keeping silent in situations like this will only empower the oppressor. For me, as long as I think I am right, I will speak up!
Agreed.
I was made to believe in the phrase, “silence is golden.” I still believe in this, however, only in some situations. Decades ago, when I found my voice, I learned to make a stand and voice out my opinions on things. Boy, did I get into trouble. One instance I stood up, expressed my dismay with proposed company policies, and offered credible alternative solutions. Guess what? I got fired for insubordination. Oh well, some people just want “silent subordinates.” That’s definitely not me!
Same here… Silence is golden in some instances…not in all cases. I agree.
He was a man with a voice, a vision, and a message. A simple yet humble man who had conviction and wasn’t reluctant to say the truth. He is now the force and the face for everyone lives in fear. As an Iranian American woman—Happy Martin Luther King Day!
I’m usually quite and reserved, but when something isn’t right, I do my best to speak up. This is definitely an inspiration to keep doing that.
He is so inspirational. And his words still resonate so strongly (if not stronger) now.
What a thought provoking post. Thank you for sharing!
this is such a great post, thank you for sharing these words and everything!
What a great way to honor MLK! This is such a powerful and inspirational post and a great way to keep so much of what he did present. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
All it takes for evil to win is for people to stay silent. Dr. King’s message is very timely in today’s society.
You honor MLK JR greatly. What a lovely collage and collection of quotes
Good one. Thank you for sharing this.
often, i treat problems with silence. only that it backfire on me and the more i am hurt now. there are times we need not be silent about our emotions.
This is a very powerful and insightful post. Thank you so much for writing about this!
This is a very thought provoking post. I am often silent, when I need to speak the most. Bottling up those feelings isn’t helpful, I must remeber this.
Most of the times people remain silent because they are afraid of getting involved, they are afraid of the consequences. I am guilty of being silent when maybe I shouldn’t have had, but was it my right to ruin someone’s life by telling them someone else’s secret?
I often read your blog posts & admire your Motivation Mondays. Inspiring & interesting… I’ll come back for more.
Such an inspiring post. I agree, silence accomplishes nothing. The poem by Lovina Sylvia Chidi is so beautiful.
This is a wonderful post in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. He truly set the bar when it came to standing up for something you believe in.
Dr. King was such an inspirational man, who broke down barriers. His legacy will remain for generations to come.
This is very inspiring MLK tribute. You were really able to capture the thoughts and feelings people have about him and his message.
This is a great post about Martin Luther King Jr. and what an inspiration he has been. I love many of his famous quotes and I actually write them down in my journal.
Thank you for your insights! Agreed, we should never be silent when we see abuse or other things like it going on around us. We need to do what we can to help.
i love your reminder that we can all be engineers of change. well said. joy
This is a lovely Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute page.
I know one thing for sure that my hubby doesn’t like when I am silent. It drives him nuts when he doesn’t have any ideas about my thoughts.
A little monday motivation never hurt anyone 😉
It is so important for your thoughts to be heard on important things. We cannot be silent anymore.
Reading this reminds me of the video on YouTube of people at a burger king. The employee would smoosh a persons burger to see if they would complain about it. They would also sit them next to these kids who bullied a kid. Basically to see which issue was more important. Some people chose to ignore the bullying and complained about their burger. There is a time and place to speak up, you speak up when there is wrong doing to a person or to an animal. I felt ashamed for those people who chose to complain about the burger. Thank you for sharing!
Great read. Thanks for sharing this inspiration post
Very interesting thoughts on the matter!
Being silent is as bad as committing a crime – this is what my mom and dad taught me. I have seen silence ruin relationships and careers. This is a very positive post! Thanks 🙂
Very heart touching! I really love reading it. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work
Wow what a deep post that honors Dr.MLKJr and give a perspective on silence. Silence can literally be deadly but I am so happy he left a legacy that is still flourishing today.
great post – just in time for MLK day!
Happy Martin Luther King Day! He stood for so much and his messages applied to all people.
I loved this post! MLK means alot to me personally!
This is so powerful and inspirational. I enjoy you incorporate that section of the view in your post. They gave a great homage to Dr Martin Luther King Jr yesterday.
your post has so much depth. and i love reading it. it speaks down here, down to my soul…. it reminds me to listen again to “the sound of silence” – my fave song….
silence is so powerful.
This was very informative and interesting! Thank you for keeping Dr. Kong’s legacy alive! So inspirational
Your motivation series is wonderful! What a great inspiration for everyone. Happy to read and watch all about MLK.
Not in all cases. It actually depends on the situation
You did NOT read my post.
Silence equals consent. It’s so important to be involved, active members of our community and stay vigilant in pursuing progress and change.
We should never be silence when and where our voice would make a difference, a positive one. Great post and awesome collection of poems.
We always need keep in mind what we say to others. I don’t think people realize how harsh words can actually be :-/
Thanks for this post you’re giving courage and strong motivation for those who have kept silent about abuses and inequalities. It’s hard to speak up but it might help if they know they’re not alone.
This is so powerful. When we look the other way we allow injustice to happen. We allow horrible things to happen. We have to raise our voices.
I agree with you, silence when a person should be listening is perfect but when it is to hide a fact or to support a crime, then it becomes unlawful.
My sentiments exactly. Thank you, Chad. 🙂
Race issues is something that we will always have to stay on top of. Unfortunately I still have to call out relatives for racist remarks. It doesn’t matter if we are all white, I don’t want my kids hearing racist garbage.
I know I need a lot of motivation on Mondays and Dr. King’s words are very motivating.
This is one of my favorite quotes by MLK: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King, Jr
We need people speaking out against injustice and the current political climate more than ever.
What a thoughtful post. It’s amazing how some forget about what Dr. King was trying to accomplish.
So motivating words and I enjoyed the poems. Thank you for sharing it with us x
Always fan of your article ! Very inspiring thanks for sharing
We have a big and complicated brain, that brain is constantly working and thinking, Do you think that the worlds greatest inventors would have achieved anything by staying quiet?So don’t stay silent! But also at the same time, know when to stop talking, like when it could hurt someone’s feelings.
You have included some great Videos! Incredible what a good quality those still have, after all those years!
What an inspiring and amazing post. Thanks for writing!
I believe that we are given our voices so that we can speak our minds and make a stand on what we think is right. Staying silent is not going to help. Speak up while we can!
Martin Luther King is such an inspiration. So sad he was taken so early from us.
Silence is the agreement with whatever that person is silent about. Taking a point of view makes you a target, good or bad.
I really love visiting this blog and seeing the beautiful collages, poems, quotes and so much more.
He really was such a powerful and inspiring speaker. He did some amazing work and through revisiting the things he did and said, I think we stand to have a better brighter future for everyone. But we have to keep sharing and pushing for it. By keeping quiet we stand the possibility of never being able to change or accomplish anything.
Exactly…
Cool story… my husbands grandfather (dr. herbert schriber) from south carolina has a letter from MLK thanking him for his bravery in supporting the movement as a white german jewish doctor helping black people during the terrible times of racism. Cool to know my husbands family was involved in the movement 🙂
Pretty cool. 🙂
Breaking The Silence by Lovina Sylvia Chidi Is such a lovely poem. I would love to read more from her.
It is indeed a complicated moment but definitely very important for any person. I missed your posts
Superb Post!! Thank you for great thoughts.
This is such a great post, thank you for sharing all this history. so imporant
I fully support speaking out. I feel like these days people try to be careful of what they say, but when it’s important you need to say it. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
It’s important to keep fresh in our minds what comes out of our mouths. If we have nothing positive to stay, keep quiet is what I say.
I love the advice to never never be afraid to do the right thing. And yes, silence is an action.
Silence is golden. Great article, with so much inspiration. Really interesting 🙂
Another inspiring post! Thanks for sharing this to us!
Couldn’t agree more with your insights!
Such an inspiration. I love your use of many different forms of information to portray your thoughts – words, poems, videos, etc.
Thank you for noticing. I am an educator by training and I know that people learn differently. I use different modalities to convey messages in my blog because we relate to things and remember them differently. TY! 🙂
Martin Luther King was a very important person that is something I did remember from the history lessons 🙂
What an inspiring post! Keep up the good work.
Wow! Your posts are so informative and thought provoking. Thank you!
This is a really thorough post on MLK and I must say that I have learned a lot. I do think that a wise man/woman once said…nothing….
Each time I come back to that post, it’s like a reminder for me to leave my silent world and stop pretending.
Unique approach you have. Your articles are very interesting.
It is shocking to find that more than four decades after this speech, Dr. King’s analysis and recommendations for action are even more relevant now than they were then
I agree: when we keep silent on things we don’t approve we distant ourselves of responsibility. great article!
Thanks for the good reminder that silence is indeed betrayal. To be neutral when you can be active towards positive change for the better means other people suffer as a result.
This is such a meaningful and powerful post. I always on my silent mode before thinking that that being silent helping to resolve the issue but I am so wrong, being silent making the whole situation worst and goes to unresolved issue. Speak up and let other people hear your side.
What an excellent and meaningful post. He truly did make such a huge impact.
Such a powerful poem you’ve shared here.. I got confused at first. But now I totally get your point.
I have always said “sometimes saying nothing at all, says a lot”.
Silence can never be a solution. Things can go worse if you don’t raise your voice. Act before it’s too late.
Dr. Martin Luther King is such an inspiration to us all. Love him. Love this post. It also brings to mind something that I heard a long time ago too. “If you stand for nothing, you’ll far for anything”. Make a stand and don’t be silent about it.
Being silent means something. That is why it is important to find the courage to voice your commitments and choices.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I think people forget that sometimes they do things implicitly which have great consequences, and silence can be one of those things.
This is great post! We should not stay silent when we see others suffering.
Such a great inspiring article and message.
I have always believe that being silent did more harm than anything. Too often we say nothing out of fear, but it’s so important to stand up for what we believe in and to speak up when we know something or someone in wrong.
When we do, we help not only ourselves but also many others out there in our circle.
He was such an inspiration to so many.
This is such an important reminder!
Silence is betrayal and we should never remain silent in the face of oppression. Taught by Marting Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar, Buddha and others.
There is no greater betrayal than to stay silent in the face of oppression and injustice. Silence signals agreement and gives oppressors the power to continue.
I must admit that I tend to stay away from conflicts and keep quiet
This article is very inspiring. I enjoyed being reminded of the importance of listening, but also speaking up when others are suffering!
Even if we feel like staying silent is better than other people getting mad at what we speak and stand up for. Staying silent is not a great idea since it is betrayal
He is such a inspiration.
i often treat people with silence to intensify the message i would want to communicate. but i agree, silence kills.
He spoke such true and honest words, it would have been amazing to see him speak in person.
Silence can never be misquoted. I love this post!
I have some of his speeches on CD. I got them way back when, when Napster was around. I haven’t played them in awhile. They do have some wonderful messages, as is this one about silence.
Silence is indeed betrayal… I love this quote
Very informative post. He was such an inspiration and so intelligent. His concepts can be used by all people.
This is very powerful, thank u for sharing!
thank you for these tips on Mlk Day. They are great.
That was an interesting read 🙂
I have always been taught by my parents to speak up where there is something wrong happening to me or others around me. And I have always followed that throughout my life. But unfortunately I have seen other people just keeping quiet when they are supposed to talk.
I am touched by the powerful words and beautiful poetry the passion for standing up to what is right to speak up in defense of the weak. 👍
This is such a powerful post. I took an MLK class during grad school (history major) and it was one of my favorite classes ever.
that breaking the silence poem almost brought a tear to my eye. wow
That is so inspiring and motivating. Thanks for sharing this !!
I can’t stand being silent especially when I see things that aren’t right. I always speak up and sometimes it gets me in trouble.
ps: I super like Edgar Lee Masters’ poem.
MLK was an amazing person. He inspired so many people to stand up for what they believed in.
Great article and meaningful poem! The message is well delivered, indeed, especially these difficult times, we have to speak up and break our silence.
A great man with divine personality. I wonder, if he were alive today, what he would have to say about what America has become.
Loved reading this piece. totally motivating, speaking up is important and one must never take any rubbish from anyone. Thanks for sharing!
Silence is betrayal- what an important quote!
I can watch his videos all day. It’s just inspiring. I only have respect for MLK.
We need to be of service to others, even small actions. Big or small our services count to make a difference in this world
It’s true, some people don’t have the nerve to stand up for themselves, but it’s good that others do
The post is truly inspiring and that’s a great post to remind everyone about the importance of voicing out! Thanks a lot!
I love watching this. This is very inspiring!
I always speak out what is on my mind, especially if the situation is unfavorable for many. Keeping silent will not help. Even in the corporate setting, we should not be afraid to speak up if we feel we are being taken advantage of.
Silence is interesting because sometimes it can be powerful and sometimes it does nothing for change. You definitely have to pick and choose when to be silent as well as when to speak up.
Very often silence can say so much and sometimes it is more important than saying anything.
Silence by Edgar Lee Masters is a powerful poem. I’m glad to come stumble upon it. It’s inspiring.
Truly inspiring and motivating here, thanks or sharing!