Coming up soon, Jan. 20 is the day to honor Martin Luther King Jr. who is known for being an American Baptist Minister, peace activist, political philosopher and civil rights leader. Beyond his well-known speeches like “I Have a Dream,” here are four lesser-known speeches by King.
“Loving Your Enemies”- Nov. 17, 1957
Despite being advised to rest by his doctor, King persisted in delivering his speech, “Loving Your Enemies,” in Montgomery, AL. King was inspired from the Bible verse Matthew 5:43-45, which believes in loving your enemies and doing good to those who wrong you. Adapting the verse’s message, King conveys the meaning of it in different ways to love your enemies, but by starting with analyzing yourself and accepting what can’t be changed. Deeper into the speech, three Greek words of love are mentioned, all with different meanings, eros, philia and agape. Agape, seen as ‘overflowing love’ and a love that has no expectations. While containing many eye-opening topics, a highlight in the speech reaching the end, delivers a final message that stands out. “So this morning, as I look into your eyes, and into the eyes of all of my brothers in Alabama and all over America and over the world, I say to you, ‘I love you. I would rather die than hate you,” King said.
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” – May 19, 1963
In April 1963, King was one of the organizers leading the Birmingham Campaign. Following his arrest on April 12, King wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” In this speech, King describes Birmingham as ‘the most segregated city in the United States’ and recalling all injustice done to the African-American community, most notably, the Birmingham Bombings. He sent the letter with hopes of the injustices being stopped and for equality, as included a mere sentence to show his dedication and thinking when first joining the campaign. “I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” said King when first informed about the Birmingham Campaign.
“Why Jesus Called a Man a Fool” – Aug. 27, 1967
One speech inspired by Saint Luke, “Why Jesus Called a Man a Fool” was delivered by King in 1967 in Chicago, IL. In the speech, King begins the story by differentiating two parts of life: our mental and materialistic desires. A fool is someone who has everything, yet no real connection, for example, the man’s family who does work for him, yet is not credited in his world. Yet the final reason he is a fool is just as powerful as the rest. “He failed to realize his dependence on God. Go back again and read his words. He talked as if he regulated the seasons. He talked as if he produced the rain. He talked as if he controlled the setting and the rising of the sun,” said King, describing the fool who looked to God only for his desires.
“I’ve been to the Mountaintop” – April 3, 1968
One day before his assassination on April 4 1968, King delivered his last speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” This speech took place in Memphis, TE, primarily involving the Memphis sanitation strike. Throughout the speech, one thing is made clear: his mission is to fulfill God’s plan and fix the troubled land, no matter the danger. His life has been to lead those trapped in the shadows out the dark, regardless of what position he will be in, no matter the danger. This speech dives deeper to what someone can be, a preacher of God. With this, one of his last messages to the people was to inspire others to look beyond. “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land,” King said.
