2020 saw racism raise its ugly head once again. The death of George Floyd led to massive protest not only in the United States, but across the globe. Today marks the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the world took to social media to celebrate the civil rights activist icon.
Celebrities jumped online to show their support and love to the man who helped to pave the way for them to be able to achieve greatness in a world that isn’t always equitable, much less back in his time period.
In the 1960’s, there wasn’t any social media and the men and women of the time needed to do the groundwork to get their message across. Celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Jim Brown and Kareem Abdul Jabbar would use their celebrity status to bring awareness through mediums such as television.
These men set the blueprint for what we saw in 2020 and present day in 2021 with celebrities using their platforms to help fight injustices in the world. The George Floyd incident was a prime example how social media has changed society in terms of spreading word across the world in a quick fashion with tweets, instagram posts, and youtube videos.
The celebrities have not forgotten the birthday of the iconic figure and they have jumped online to celebrate the life and times of one of the figureheads of the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. People have also taken to their social media accounts to give a special thank you and birthday shout out to Dr. King.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr would have been 92 years old today. Check out the posts below.
"Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the existence of justice for all people." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Wishing a Happy Birthday to Civil Rights Leader Dr. King. pic.twitter.com/nKINgpejOZ
— COMMON (@common) January 15, 2021
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
― Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Happy birthday, Dr. King! May your dream become reality. pic.twitter.com/6CgSyg0yQn
— Fr. Bruce Wilkinson (@PadreInAtlanta) January 15, 2021
“Hatred confuses life;
love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life;
love illuminates it.”–Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy birthday, #MLK. 🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/2IYqVKKvhr
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) January 15, 2021
On this day, I’m reminded that MLK didn’t “give his life;” he was murdered. But now as an ancestor, he continues to walk with us in hopes that truth shall one day be “on the throne.”
Happy Birthday to the Right Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/7ntgQxMgpT
— Rev. James Woodall (@iMajorWish) January 15, 2021
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s last speech:
“I would like to live a long life…but I’m not concerned about that now…I’ve seen the promised land.”
Happy Birthday and thank you, Dr. King 💙pic.twitter.com/1uIOQqayKm
— Meaghan Lynch (@MeaghanBLynch) January 15, 2021
