“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I was in this world less than two months when Dr. King was assassinated. So, all I know about him is from American history classes, books, video clips of his television appearances, and video or audio clips of his speeches.
What I do know about Dr. King is that he was a wise man.
He inspired his contemporaries to be better than the worst parts of their collective history.
And, through those video and audio clips, books, and history classes, his story has been told.
And, therefore, Dr. King continues to inspire all of us to be better than the worst parts of our collective history.
I hope when you are – and I am – presented with a choice, we will always take a stand for that which is true.
Ed Packard for Secretary of State 