Words to live by (Laura’s favorite quote)

We sit at the beginning of an era that will mark the years of the largest roundups of wild horses in US history and the beginning of sterilization of our wild herds. All of this will happen as BLM continues to ignore a basic premise: they are not mandated to remove, they are mandated to manage. Actual, active, management plans are absent for 96% of HMAs.

Wild Horse Education (WHE) volunteer Marie Milliman chose this quote to bolster advocacy. We continue the fight for wild horses after the debacle created by multi-million dollar corporate interest in the budget (Ten Years to AML) that has driven policy makers since 2016.

As Marie was searching for the perfect quote she was inspired by an essay written by Dr. King; we share it with you here.

Martin Luther King Jr.; an historical force of passion and inspiration that fearlessly led the equal rights movement. His personal light was tragically extinguished in an assassination on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.  Martin Luther King Jr. day is a time to grieve, reflect and honor the loss of an exemplary icon and to also illuminate his accomplishments and, messages of wisdom and courage. Today we grieve and celebrate the radiance of Martin Luther King Jr. and pay tribute to one of his multitude of subjects; Education, that he so eloquently penned at the age of 18.

The Purpose of Education essay   Morehouse College, 1948  

“As I engage in the so-called “bull sessions” around and about the school, I too often find that most college men have a misconception of the purpose of education. Most of the “brethren” think that education should equip them with the proper instruments of exploitation so that they can forever trample over the masses. Still others think that education should furnish them with noble ends rather than means to an end.

It seems to me that education has a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society: the one is utility and the other is culture. Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.

Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking. To think incisively and to think for one’s self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half truths, prejudices, and propaganda. At this point, I often wonder whether or not, education is fulfilling its purpose. A great majority of the so-called educated people do not think logically and scientifically. Even the press, the classroom, the platform, and the pulpit in many instances do not give us objective and unbiased truths. To save man from the morass of propaganda, in my opinion, is one of the chief aims of education. Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.

The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.

The late Eugene Talmadge, in my opinion, possessed one of the better minds of Georgia, or even America. Moreover, he wore the Phi Beta Kappa key. By all measuring rods, Mr. Talmadge could think critically and intensively; yet he contends that I am an inferior being. Are those the types of men we call educated?

We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. The broad education will, therefore, transmit to one not only the accumulated knowledge of the race but also the accumulated experience of social living.

If we are not careful, our colleges will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific, illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts. Be careful, “brethren!” Be careful, teachers!” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

In commemoration of your estimable endeavors to educate the world of the offenses to human equality, we value your foresight of the threats against the power of words, truth and science. Your valiant efforts to enlighten the world and create lasting change is a significant influence for causes of those seeking equality for the oppressed. We are guided by your perseverance that truth is the most direct path to hope and progress. That truth is more influential then the almighty dollar; truth is for infinity and the dollar will be consumed by the banks of greed. We commend you Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate your appreciation for education. With gratitude for your authenticity and perseverance in the fight for equality for all.

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