“On some positions, cowardice asks the question, is it safe?”

Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote, “On some positions, cowardice asks the question, is it safe?” is a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of taking a stand that is not only expedient or politically correct but also aligned with one’s conscience. This quote is often cited in discussions about the need for courage in the face of adversity and the necessity of standing up for what is right, even if it means taking an unpopular position or one that is not popular with the masses. King’s words serve as a reminder that true courage lies in acting against the grain of societal norms and expectations, prioritizing one’s moral and ethical convictions over personal gain or popularity.

Today, reflect on the quote and see where you fit. I will do the same.

“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?” And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right. I believe today that there is a need for all people of good will to come together with a massive act of conscience and say in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “We ain’t goin’ study war no more.” This is the challenge facing modern man.”