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11 Public Figures Share Their Inspiring Thoughts On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

11 Public Figures Share Their Inspiring Thoughts On MLK
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Pop Culture Editor, HuffPost

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 16: Civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers a speech to a crowd on October 16, 1965 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

It has been over 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King descended on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to give his memorable “I Have A Dream” speech -- and still, the Civil Rights leader’s influential words of encouragement and promise still resonate with some of today’s activists and reflect many of the same social issues.

Today marks what would have been Dr. King’s 86th birthday -- to honor his life and remember his legacy, we decided to highlight a few inspiring quotes from public figures who reflected on important lessons they learned from MLK.

Public Figures Share Most Inspiring Thoughts On MLK
President Barack Obama(01 of11)
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"When you are talking about Dr. King's speech at the March on Washington, you're talking about one of the maybe five greatest speeches in American history. And the words that he spoke at that particular moment, with so much at stake, and the way in which he captured the hopes and dreams of an entire generation I think is unmatched." (The Huffington Post) (credit:AP)
Harry Belafonte(02 of11)
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"The spirit that Dr. King called forth was a profoundly American spirit, as was his struggle. What made me feel so good about that struggle was that it was ordinary people who were becoming empowered through his words, to realize their own possibilities. (The Guardian) (credit:AP)
Andrew Young(03 of11)
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"Freedom is a struggle and we do it together. Not only together as black citizens, but black and white together. Martin Luther King talked about a Coalition of Conscience, or a Coalition of Goodwill — people of goodwill who want to change the world for the better. I think you see evidence of that." (TIME) (credit:AP)
Bill Clinton(04 of11)
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“He was a total advocate of non-violence. He never encouraged anyone to do anything other than turn the other cheek when it came to using force. And to use the force of their convictions in marching and speaking, and singing for justice and peace…I think he would love the fact that now we have a lot of African-Americans running for office.” (Biography) (credit:AP)
Oprah Winfrey(05 of11)
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"Nothing that has happened in my life since I was 16 years old would've been possible. I wouldn't have been in radio, I wouldn't have been on television, I would have been have been who I am... I just wouldn't have the life that I have without Martin Luther King Jr. To have been a living witness to the changes his vision and his dream have brought – not just for me personally but for me personally – it really is amazing grace." (People) (credit:AP)
David Oyelowo(06 of11)
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"I don't think [King] could have as stuck ... to the theme of nonviolence and love in the face of hate if he didn't feel that command and that notion from God. His faith was the engine for what he believed in and how he acted." (Huffington Post) (credit:AP)
Forest Whitaker(07 of11)
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“Growing up, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the one photograph that every Black household had. There were little placards made out of metal stuck against the wall. You followed him because he was holding your hope. The hope that you were going to be able to live your life full with equality.” (History) (credit:Getty)
John Legend(08 of11)
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“I think he’s inspired the whole country and the world. The themes and the ideas of his movement have inspired many other movements subsequently to achieve revolutionary things through non-violence. And I think even looking at President Barack’s rise, it’s part of that fulfillment of what Dr. King dreamed about and worked for.” (Washington Post) (credit:Getty)
Eric Holder(09 of11)
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“[King would be] proud of the country he helped recreate…At the same time, I know Dr. King would not yet be satisfied. And he would be the first to remind us that –- although segregation is no longer the law of the land; although bigotry and discrimination are not as pervasive as they once were; and although a direct beneficiary of his legacy now sits in the Oval Office, and another humbly serves as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States –- even today, in 2013, our struggle to bridge divisions, to eradicate violence, and to combat disparities and disenfranchisement remains far from over. And nowhere is this clearer than in the national debate about voting rights that has captured recent headlines from coast to coast." (Huffington Post) (credit:AP)
Master P(10 of11)
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“Martin Luther King impacted a lot on me. He was a dreamer. Talking about dreaming and preparing for the future, and preparing this generation. I got a foundation called ‘Let The Kids Grow’ and it’s about the next generation. It’s about us not killing the next generation. And Martin Luther King, I feel like, paid the dues for us. We have to take our hat off to him, because we talk about ‘dream,’ that’s all I do. I come from the projects and [had] nothing, and to be able to live the lifestyle that I live now... it’s incredible to do it 24 years later.” (Sway's Universe) (credit:Getty)
Talib Kweli(11 of11)
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“The first time I remember Martin Luther King having an impact on me was in ’82. I was six or seven years old and my mother took me to D.C.—they were having a rally to create the national holiday. I know that rally couldn’t have compared to the “March on Washington” rally in ’63, but it’s still a memory from my childhood that sticks through the test of time. I remember hearing speeches from Dr. King, and especially seeing Stevie Wonder perform “Happy Birthday,” which was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget.” (VIBE) (credit:AP)

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