Yet It Is The One Essential, Vital

We Must Recognize The Full Human Equality Of All Our People - Before God, Before The Law, And In The Councils Of Government. We Must Do This Not Because It Is Economically Advantageous - Although It Is; Not Because The Laws Of God And Man Command It - Although They Do Command It; Not Because People In Other Lands Wish It So. We Must Do It For The Single And Fundamental Reason That It Is The Right Thing To Do.

Punishment Is Not Prevention. History Offers Cold Comfort To Those Who Think Grievance And Despair Can Be Subdued By Force.

For There Is Another Kind Of Violence, Slower But Just As Deadly, Destructive As The Shot Or The Bomb In The Night. This Is The Violence Of Institutions; Indifference And Inaction And Slow Decay. This Is The Violence That Afflicts The Poor, That Poisons Relations Between Men Because Their Skin Has Different Colors. This Is A Slow Destruction Of A Child By Hunger, And Schools Without Books And Homes Without Heat In The Winter.

The Natural State Of A Human Being Is Dignity.

All Of Us Will Ultimately Be Judged On The Effort We Have Contributed To Building A New World Order.