My first introduction to South Africa’s struggle for freedom came when I was just 17. I had volunteered to speak in my mother’s stead at a United Nations forum on South Africa because she was unable to attend on that occasion.
BERNICE KINGBefore she was a King, my mother was a peace advocate, a courageous leader, and an accomplished artist.
More Bernice King Quotes
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My father literally fought his entire life to ensure the inclusion of all people because he understood that we were intertwined and connected together in humanity.
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We are carrying collectively a lot of trauma, especially those of us in the African-American community. And if we’re not careful, it’ll overtake us, and we’ll self-destruct.
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We must rediscover our faith in the future and join with one another to ensure that nonviolence is the prevalent choice for government, law enforcement, the non-profit sector, business, education, media, entertainment, arts, and for the global citizenry.
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Without my ministry, I would just be Martin Luther King’s daughter. You know, when people call me that, it doesn’t bother me anymore. I know I am not my father. I know I am me.
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When my father died, the money he left us would have dried up within a year were it not for my mother. We might very well have ended up on welfare.
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Choosing nonviolence does not mean that one will never get angry or become upset with others, including the ones we love.
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Some of the aspects of my speaking style are inherited and come naturally to me. I didn’t take classes, and I didn’t do anything to hone my skills.
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I don’t know if you realize this, but anger is anger. It has no mind. It has no rationality. It’s mad, and it just wants to destroy.
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In 1985, I was arrested, along with my mother and brother, Martin III, in a protest against apartheid at the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.
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It is painful beyond measure to lose a loving father and grandmother to violence.
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Always realize that even your strongest advocate and opponent is a part of the human family; albeit they may have small shortcomings and even strength in them, they are part of that human family.
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I think the most pressing issue in our community is probably a generational divide.
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Some people feel like I’m arrogant. It’s unfortunate, because people don’t know my heart.
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In 1985, I joined my mother in a protest against apartheid in which we were arrested at the South African embassy in Washington, D.C. And she was at President-elect Mandela’s side in Johannesburg when he claimed victory in South Africa’s first free elections.
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In addition to a stronger focus on better training for law enforcement, America urgently needs programs to provide jobs and educational opportunities in economically depressed communities.
BERNICE KING






