Coretta Scott King

I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.

Reuters (31 March 1998), 1998

I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy.

Chicago Sun Times (1 April 1998), 1998

Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group.

Chicago Defender (1 April 1998), 1998

Segregation was wrong when it was forced by white people, and I believe it is still wrong when it is requested by black people.

As quoted in The Last Word : A Treasury of Women's Quotes (1992), by Carolyn Warner, p. 99, 1992

I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation.

As quoted in Shadow in the Land : Homosexuality in America (1989) by William Dannemeyer, p. 148, 1989

If American women would increase their voting turnout by ten percent, I think we would see an end to all of the budget cuts in programs benefiting women and children.

As quoted in New Woman, Vol. 16, No. 4 (April 1986), p. 20, 1986

The more visible signs of protest are gone, but I think there is a realization that the tactics of the late sixties are not sufficient to meet the challenges of the seventies.

As quoted in The Quotable Woman (1978) by Elaine Partnow, p. 390, 1978

Mama and Daddy King represent the best in manhood and womanhood, the best in a marriage, the kind of people we are trying to become.

On the parents of her husband, in The Christian Science Monitor (2 July 1974), 1974

Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.

As quoted in Daughters of the Promised Land, Women in American History (1970) by Page Smith, p. 273, 1970

There is a spirit and a need and a man at the beginning of every great human advance. Every one of these must be right for that particular moment of history, or nothing happens.

1969

Because his task was not finished, I felt that I must re-dedicate myself to the completion of his work.

1969

I'm more determined than ever that my husband's dream will become a reality.

Statement soon after her husband's slaying in April 1968, as quoted in CNN obituary (January 31, 2006), 1968

On April 3, 1968, just before he was killed, Martin delivered his last public address. In it he spoke of the visit he and I made to Israel. Moreover, he spoke to us about his vision of the Promised Land, a land of justice and equality, brotherhood and peace. Martin dedicated his life to the goals of peace and unity among all peoples, and perhaps nowhere in the world is there a greater appreciation of the desirability and necessity of peace than in Israel.

As quoted in Jewish Currents, Vol. 52, (April 1998), p 13, 1968

We must all begin to question the experts. They have not really been right. No abundance of material goods can compensate for the death of individuality and personal creativity.

Harvard class day address (1968); published in the July 1, 1968, issue of Harvard Alumni Bulletin, 1968

Our Congress passes laws that subsidize corporations, farms, oil companies, airlines, and houses for suburbia, but when they turn their attention to the poor they suddenly become concerned about balancing the budget and cut back on funds for Head Start.

Harvard class day address (1968), quoted in International Education Vol. 1, p. 28, 1968