Image: Wikicommons by Yoichi Okamoto / Public domain
About This Quiz
Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was a remarkable human being with an incredible way with words. Perhaps it was his talents as a pastor that allowed him to match his cadence and moral call to the cause of civil rights so effectively. Maybe he was just the right man at the right time. When Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, he was only 39 years old. Just imagine what he would have done with the rest of his life.
It is difficult to imagine an America where Dr. King's birthday isn't a national holiday. It's hard to imagine an America where Dr. King's words did not push citizenry and government to pass the Civil Rights Act. When Dr. King and his contemporary RFK passed from this world, it was the end of an era of profound upheaval, optimism, and change.
Dr. King's words echo through history, inspiring today's civil rights workers, politicians, and NGOs to action. His turns of phrase, from his famous "I Have A Dream" speech to off the cuff comments made to fellow civil rights workers, remain some of the most powerful combinations of words in the English language. Even when Dr. King was off his game, he was great. How well do you know the words of this great American? It's time to find out!
"It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream."
As Doctor King hits his cadence, reaching the climax of his "I Have A Dream" speech, he begins the famous refrain. "And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream."
"That one day my three little children ... "
" ... and my psychiatrist thinks it has to do with my mother ... "
"... that one day someone will win an Academy Award for playing me in a movie."
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"promised land"
"mountaintop"
In Doctor King's final speech, he seems to know his assassination is coming. He said, "We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop … 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."
"office"
"capital"
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"regret"
"hatred"
"resentment"
"bitterness"
It is often overlooked that Doctor King was a significant force against the war in Vietnam. In a speech to a group opposed to the war, he concluded his assessment of the war, saying, "Now there is little left to build on, save bitterness."
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" ... where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
This is perhaps the most famous line, and the source of the title of his speech, and Dr. King came up with this and its whole section on the fly. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," was not written in his speech at the time he read it.
" ... where they can achieve their dreams."
" ... where they can live unencumbered by the millstone of discrimination."
" ... where no barrier stands between them and their dreams."
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"genocide"
A powerful statement, this quote is unequivocal. The full quote is, "Racism is based on an ontological affirmation. It is the notion that the very being of a people is inferior. And the ultimate logic of racism is genocide."
"suicide"
"injustice"
"fooey"
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"justice"
"freedom"
Before officially announcing his opposition to the Vietnam War, Doctor King gave his iconic "Two Americas" speech about social and economic inequality. In it, he announced, "I still believe that freedom is the bonus you receive for telling the truth."
"man's integrity"
"an IRS refund"
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" ...eight thousand miles away to guarantee liberties in Southeast Asia which they had not found in southwest Georgia and East Harlem."
In explaining his opposition to the war in Vietnam, Doctor King felt it necessary to explain his position by saying that the war was a civil rights issue, as it affected black men disproportionately to their numbers.
" ... halfway across the globe, a second Middle Passage, to die in a war in which they do not believe or have a stake."
" ... right around the globe to one of the few lands where no man has wronged them."
" ... all the way to Vietnam, where neither side of the Vietnam conflict has caused them reason to raise arms in anger."
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" ... our spirit is ever-ready."
" ... our souls will never be tired."
" ... our job is done."
" ... our souls are rested."
Doctor King invoked a story told to him by an elderly black woman in the south, as he describes his march from Selma. Paraphrasing her, he says, "And in a real sense this afternoon, we can say that our feet are tired, but our souls are rested."
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" ... the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation."
On the 28th of August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington DC. The address began with the opening words, "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation."
" ... the final speech you'll hear from me this year."
" ... the day we solve the civil rights problems in America."
" ... the day I have a dream."
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"Vietnam"
In speaking out against the Vietnam War at Riverside Church, Doctor King used some of his most eloquent language to describe what he saw as the worst America had to offer the world. "If America's soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read: Vietnam."
"segregation"
"war"
"racism"
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"mighty walk"
When Doctor King led the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, he had a great speech in mind. After thanking the assemblage, he begins with, "Last Sunday, more than eight thousand of us started on a mighty walk from Selma, Alabama."
"proud march"
"great march"
"skipping stroll"
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" ... heap grievance upon grievance ... "
" ... wallow in the valley of despair ... "
Doctor King was known for using religious language in his speeches to significant effect. It was, in fact, where he was most comfortable. An example of this is the line from "I Have A Dream," in which he says, "Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends."
" ... hang our hat on the achievements of the past ... "
" ... carry on as we have... "
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"an entire community"
Doctor King took a page from Mahatma Gandhi, using nonviolent resistance. He describes this tactic, saying, "Once more, the method of nonviolent resistance was unsheathed from its scabbard, and once again, an entire community was mobilized to confront the adversary."
"the entire nation"
"the national conscience"
"the Holy Spirit"
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"the word of God"
"their democratic traditions"
In reaching out to white southerners after the march to Montgomery, Doctor King calls for unity. "On our part we must pay our profound respects to the white Americans who cherish their democratic traditions over the ugly customs and privileges of generations and come forth boldly to join hands with us."
"our common humanity"
"the brotherhood of men"
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"see our neighbors"
"see our brothers for who they truly are"
"see the enemy's point of view"
"Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves." Said about the war in Vietnam, this King quote could be about almost any conflict.
None of the above
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" ... the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood."
" ... live out the true meaning of its creed."
Beginning what feels almost like a call and response, Doctor King quoted the founding fathers, saying "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"
"with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of 'interposition' and 'nullification' — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."
" ... a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."
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"a riot"
After going into detail about the horrific poverty he saw in parts of "The Other America," Doctor King reiterated his commitment to nonviolence. "I'm absolutely convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears of the white community while relieving the guilt."
"inappropriate methods of protest"
"overt militarism"
"war"
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"ethnicity"
"race"
"ethnic group"
Doctor King spoke forcefully on the history of racism, saying that it was not attached to our society; it was ingrained in it. "Nobody, no ethnic group has completely lifted itself by its own bootstraps."
"creed"
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"salient misdeeds"
Addressing his audience after the long march from Selma, Doctor King begins one of the cadences he is so well known for. "Let us march on ballot boxes until the salient misdeeds of bloodthirsty mobs will be transformed into the calculated good deeds of orderly citizens."
"grievous sins"
"tragic acts"
"serious crimes"
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" ... the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood."
One of the most inspiring lines from Doctor King's "I Have A Dream" speech, Doctor King conjures an image of a hopeful future. "I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood."
" ... a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."
" ... with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of 'interposition' and 'nullification' -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."
" ... a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."
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"equality"
"justice"
"brotherhood"
Combining religious language with political terminology after the Selma march, Doctor King says, "Let us march on ballot boxes until brotherhood becomes more than a meaningless word in an opening prayer, but the order of the day on every legislative agenda."
"family"
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" ... a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."
As he continues with the famous refrain, Doctor King describes his hopes for Mississippi. "I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."
" ... with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of 'interposition' and 'nullification' -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."
" ... and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
"... will learn to live in peace among its citizens. "
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"unwavering conviction"
"creative nonviolence"
Doctor King frequently reminded his audience of the importance of nonviolent protest. In one instance, he said "The battle is in our hands. And we can answer with creative nonviolence the call to higher ground to which the new directions of our struggle summons us."
"moral certitude"
"extraordinary courage"
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" ... walking will be entirely optional, as all will be able to ride buses freely."
" ... the Crimson Tide will win a championship."
" ... the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
" ... with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of 'interposition' and 'nullification' -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."
Doctor King's complete quote is as follows: "I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of 'interposition' and 'nullification' -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."
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"complacency"
"idolatry"
"normalcy"
Doctor King knew that what he was doing was upsetting the apple cart. When his protests were questioned, he roared back, pointing the finger at a status quo that allowed young children to be murdered. "It is normalcy all over our country which leaves the Negro perishing on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity."
"inhumanity"
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" ... and the glory of the Lord shall be clear to all, illuminated in ourselves."
" ... and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
Invoking more religious symbolism in his "I Have A Dream" speech, Doctor King continues, saying, "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; 'and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.'"
" ... and we will know the name of the Lord because we will see it in each other."
" ... and none shall walk the winding road alone again."
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"justice"
"honor"
"the American promise"
"truth"
Responding to those who would question his tactics, Doctor King urged them to hold firm to nonviolence and believe in its promise. "I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because 'truth crushed to earth will rise again.'"
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" ... we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."
" ... we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."
" ... we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."
All of the above
The complete quote is as follows: "With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."
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" ... because faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase."
" ... because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
One of Doctor King's most famous quotes comes from the climax (and end) of his speech after the Selma march. In it, he says, "How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
" ... because we remain committed to nonviolence."
" ... because life’s most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
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" ... Colorado."
" ... California."
" ... Pennsylvania."
" ... New York"
Doctor King uses repetition to signal the cadence to his audience with the lines "And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California."
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" ... from every state and every city ... "
" ... from every village and every hamlet ... "
The conclusion to Doctor King's most famous speech ends as follows: "And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
" ... from every county and municipality ... "
" ... from every borough and freehold ... "
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"see the truth of this injustice"
"break the silence of the night"
In his speech against the Vietnam War precisely a year before his assassination, Doctor King addressed an audience at Riverside Church in New York. He said, "And some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak."
"call to our better angels"
"seek respite in the arms of our faiths"
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" ... this nation had done grave injustices to its own people."
" ... all men are created equal."
" ... we have a long road to hoe where it comes to loving each other."
" ... America is still a racist country."
In one of his final speeches, Doctor King reiterated his belief that while the Civil Rights Act was a step forward, problems persisted. "The first thing I would like to mention is that there must be a recognition on the part of everybody in this nation that America is still a racist country."
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"socialism" and "individualistic capitalism"
Doctor King decried the state of the economic imbalances of America in the 1960s. Citing the inequities of the American economy, he said, "Well that appears to me to be a kind of socialism for the rich and rugged hard individualistic capitalism for the poor."
"easy going" and "graft"
"individualistic capitalism" and "socialism"
"uneven playing field" and "work"
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" ... temporarily given up my pacifism and taken up arms."
Doctor King was famous for his pacifism, but sometimes he felt it necessary to put the "fist" in "pacifist." He said, "I happen to be a pacifist, but if I had had to make a decision about fighting a war against Hitler, I may have temporarily given up my pacifism and taken up arms."
" ... been unable to fight, though the war was just."
" ... volunteered to personally assassinate Hitler."
" ... had some concerns about how the war was fought."
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