“In our painting, the light that Dr. King is approaching represents the dream achieved. He is accompanied by the spirits of equality and justice. To keep the dream from fading, we must always keep moving toward it.” (Cover art by Leo & Diane Dillon)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) was one of America’s greatest visionaries. He was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. His leadership was fundamental to the movement’s success in ending the legal segregation of blacks in the South and in other portions of the United States. Dr. King was instrumental in bringing about the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which legally protected the rights of African Americans to live, work, and vote without discrimination. He promoted nonviolent tactics to achieve civil rights, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
King’s peaceful and nonviolent resistance was inspired by the teachings of Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi (who led the peaceful struggle for India’s independence from Great Britain.) "I came to feel that this was the only morally and practically sound method open to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom." King’s work was helped in the civil rights movement by such people as Rosa Parks, who served as a catalyst for the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott.
~ Foreword in the book by Coretta Scott King ~
“My husband, Martin Luther King, Jr., had a great dream for America. He believed that people of all colors and religions could learn how to live together and treat each other like brothers and sisters. In his dream, the people of America would put an end to hatred, injustice, and violence, and a new spirit of kindness, sharing, and unity would spread across the land. He believed that we could achieve this dream if we would all make a commitment to forgiveness, justice, and love for each other.
In this beautiful book, “I Have A Dream”, fifteen artists have provided their creative illustrations to demonstrate the beauty of his dream and the beliefs that motivated his life and leadership. Their artistry blends beautifully with the inspired message that he shared with millions of Americans at the March on Washington on that magical day of August 28, 1963. His vision of peace with justice and love for everyone still inspires and challenges us to create the beloved community. His legacy of courage, determination, and nonviolence still lights the way to the fulfillment of his dream. May God give us the wisdom and strength to carry forward his unfinished work!”
~ Ponder these words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ~
“…Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter…”
“…We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends…”
“…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…”
