Quote from “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” Sermon

King's “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” Sermon

NPS Antoine Thomas

Quick Facts

Location:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Designation:

National Park

Amenities

2 listed

Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Wheelchair Accessible

This sermon was given at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC on March 31, 1968. (Four days before King was assassinated.) 

King began the sermon by telling the Washington Irving story “Rip Van Winkle”. Rip lived in pre-Revolutionary War America. One day, during a hike into the Catskill Mountains in New York, he fell asleep. Rip slept for 20 years, but even more remarkably slept right through a revolution! 

Advancements in science and technology lead to change. The ability to travel farther faster makes the world seem smaller, challenging us “to develop a world perspective.” Mankind must change its mindset into one of interconnectedness and realize we are affected by each other’s actions or inactions. Stay awake to what is going on. 

Racism won’t go away on its own. Neither will poverty. Have the will to be proactive against such problems. Choose to do right. 

Note that both Walls of Quotes arc towards the waterfalls, towards “justice”. How do the messages relate to that theme?