Revisiting King’s last speech

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 3, 1968, the day before he was assassinated. It was an empowering message of hope, inspiration and future progress that encouraged listeners to fight against socioeconomic injustices and inequality. The address was delivered in support of striking sanitation workers, who were demanding better working conditions, equity and dignity.

King encouraged people to use their finances to invest in racial and social justice initiatives. Although we’ve come far in this country as a whole, there is still a long way to go. As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, let us not lose sight of his vision for this country, a vision of unity and hope.

Here’s a powerful quote from his speech:

“In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our Republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir … Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.”

Listen to his speech here.

[More: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact]