By: BHS Publications Staff
January 20, 2022
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”
On Monday, January 17, The United States of America remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for all of his work in spearheading the movement to bridge the gap between people of all races.
Today, the BHS Publications Staff would like to honor Dr. King by having each student choose a favorite quote and explain its impact on us individually as well as society as a whole.
Daylun: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
I think that this quote is important because too often, people tend to look over the fact that so many people in our world are truly not experiencing freedom to the fullest extent of the word. The fact that the truth about history is often covered up, the fight for human rights is still argued by some, and injustice is rooted in our world and happens every single day shows just why we cannot be silent or silenced about things that matter.
Alaysia: “The time is always right to do right.”
Always do the right thing even when people are not watching you. Do right by yourself and others, and do not expect to be rewarded but find the process rewarding. Every time is the right time to improve and grow as a person.
Laila: “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”
This quote applies strongly in society today because so many people fall short of making the effort to fight for the causes that affect others rather than just themselves. People tend to remain idle and decide that the many societal issues are someone else’s problem and will be fixed eventually, either on their own or by someone else. There needs to be an understanding that change is never guaranteed without people actively-fighting on its behalf and that people who have even the slightest passion for that change are the only ones who can bring it about.
Valery: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
I believe this quote can apply to everyone each day. People need to realize they are the only ones in control of their lives, and each day we wake up, we get to choose how we want to live and which path we will take. Nobody is responsible for the choices you make, and nobody can determine your success in life but YOU.
Tyler: “Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
This quote can be applied to anyone in today’s world. Not everyone has the same resources as another to have influence on others, but you cannot use that as an excuse and not try. Life is too short to sit around and wait for something good to come; you must get up and make the best of everything that you have.
Jaiden: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
I think this quote is meant for everyone in today’s world. As we get older, we have to understand how to be a bigger person. If someone hates you and you hate back, it makes the situation way worse, and now, you and the other person are upset. Instead of doing all of that when someone hates, do not hate back; instead, show love. We do not know why people hate, but it happens, and only light can drive out darkness.
Jose: “We must learn to live together as brothers, or we will perish together as fools.”
I think this quote means that the big problem we have today is that young teens have conflict and resort to violence. If we learn to live as brothers, then love, compassion, and empathy will drive out hate and violence.
Morgan: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
The message I get from this quote is that it is never too late to make a change and do the right thing. In the world we live in today, the “right thing to do” can be portrayed as something as simple as a personal goal you want to reach or even something as challenging as making a change in the world that we live in. It is always the perfect time to do the right thing, but only you can determine when that “right time” is for you.
Chloe: “No person has the right to rain on your dreams.”
What I get from this quote is if it is your dream, then do not let anyone have a say in your dream or what you plan to do with that dream. It is your dream, not theirs! It should not concern them. Never change your dream just because someone has something to say about it. If you want it, you will do everything in the world to achieve it. Never stop your time for anyone as life is either going to go on with or without you, so you might as well work to your fullest potential.
Dr. King’s work is not finished, and it is up to us to continue his legacy of love and equality for all. It is never too late to do what is right.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 