4 April 2018 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther Jr, aged 39, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA in 1968. Dr King (1929 – 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement in USA from 1954 – 1968. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience. His struggles for justice were based on his Christian beliefs and inspired by the nonviolence called for by Mahatma Ghandi.
While King’s main legacy was to secure some significant progress on civil rights in the U.S. the struggle to truly acknowledge the human dignity and rights of every individual person irrespective of their creed, gender, sexual preference or the colour of their skin continues to challenge all, who like King, call themselves Christian or activists for human rights.
Today Brigidine Sisters strive to hold in their prayer the many manifestations of exploitation, injustice and suffering in the world in our time and to take decisive action for justice wherever they can. (Refer May 2016 Congregational Forum, Invitation and Call)
You are invited to spend a few minutes watching the following short video of Martin Luther King’s inspiring “I Have A Dream Speech” and to give thanks for his life and work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP4iY1TtS3s