TODAY, IN HONOR of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I share this quote from the activist and civil rights leader:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that.
May love and light shine bright during these especially dark times in our nation, especially in the state of Minnesota. May we follow King’s example as we rise in voice and numbers to shine our bright lights of goodness, compassion, empathy, kindness, love and so much more.
Today, more than ever, I hold a deep appreciation for those like King who bravely, courageously and peacefully stood up for their rights. They were met with resistance and violence, but never gave up.
In the words of activist and Congressman John Lewis:
Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.
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TELL ME: Please share your favorite quote from a civil rights activist that inspires or uplifts you during these difficult days.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I really like the one you posted Audrey. I also like this one. “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.” Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964 ~ Martin Luther King, Jr
Thank you, Rose, for sharing that caring quote from Dr. King.
I posted several of his quotes today. I like the one you posted, and in addition I like this one: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear”
That statement is absolutely true. Thank you for sharing, Valerie.
thank you for these Audrey, for some reason I am just seeing this today, but it is as needed today as yesterday and will be needed tomorrow and for some time ahead I’m quite sure.
Yes. As horrible things continue to unfold in Minnesota, I need to remember the civil rights movement and the inspiring words of Dr. King. Today Minnesota media reported that a 5-year-old preschooler and his dad were taken into custody by ICE while returning home from school. Both were flown to a family detention center in Texas, although there whereabouts were not know for 24 hours. Within that same north metro school district, a l0-year-old and two 17-year-olds were also taken by ICE (along with their parents) and flown to Texas. It’s bad enough when adults are being targeted and taken by ICE. Now it’s kids. The entire country and world need to know what’s happening here in Minnesota. Please go to this link and please share: https://sahanjournal.com/education/ice-minnesota-columbia-heights-students-detained/
this is so awful. thanks for this link and I will share it for sure. I just returned from a county commissioner’s meeting where we had a huge turnout as we are supporting a proposal for the county to ban ICE from all county buildings, parking lots, parks, etc. Law enforcement will not and have not been supporting them (police and sheriffs) and will not allow them to be masked, will ask for identification, etc. Many people from the community spoke up and the meeting has been going on for over 6 hours. Each commissioner spoke in support of it and are trying to add to it, as far as the lawyers will allow them to. They each gave impassioned testimonies, some very personal and most of them cried, along with some of us in attendance. We all realize what is at stake here and the very real dangers we are all in.
Beth, thank you to you and to your county board for standing up for what is right and for taking pro-active action to protect all of you.
❤