My Life with Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes
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Source: My Life with Martin Luther King Jr.
Author: Coretta Scott King
"Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation."
Young people today often say, "What did you get for all your sacrifice? You sold out. You were Toms." We didn't get everything we wanted, so they think we never gained anything. Though we still have severe problems in this country, we should not forget what the Movement did achieve. Many African Americans hold important positions today that were possible by the struggles and the sacrifices of those who are now of the older generation. African Americans are policymakers running states, cities, and municipalities; we lead state legislatures, serve on corporate boards, and help to shape policy throughout the country. None of that would have been possible without the Movement. But we also need to remember that the struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation. That is what we have not taught young people, or older ones for that matter. You finally win a state of freedom that is protected forever. It doesn't work that way.
Context
This line was written by Coretta Scott King in My Life With Martin Luther King Jr., Revised Edition (1993).
When Coretta Scott King revised her 1969 autobiography My Life With Martin Luther King Jr., she added a short preface that included this quote. It's sort of a sad meditation on the way that young people see her husband's life's work.
Mrs. King begins by reflecting on the messages she's heard from young people around the country—because the Civil Rights Movement didn't achieve all of its goals, that means it was a failure. She obviously doesn't agree. She also has a message for those young people. It's time for them to take up the mantle and start carrying on the work the older generation started.
Basically she's telling people not to be complacent. The world will never get to some magical place where everything will be perfectly happy and we'll all hold hands and love each other forever and ever. People will always need to be struggling and fighting toward freedom. And we've got to learn to accept that and prepare for it. The world needs new people to join the fight. Freedom really isn't free, you know.
Where you've heard it
This is a pretty famous quote and it's a great reminder that the quest for justice always needs new warriors. Let's suit up, everyone!
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
We can't say this is especially pretentious mostly because it just sounds so sensible and true. Feel free to quote this one at any get-together.