The long arc of history bends towards justice

Rabbi Gunther Plaut was born in Germany and escaped to the United States in 1935, two years after the Nazi rise to power. He later immigrated to Canada, where he became rabbi at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. In March 1963, at Rabbi Plaut’s invitation, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Holy Blossom Temple. During his speech, Dr. King said, “Time is neutral. Time can be used destructively or constructively. We must help time and the time is right now.”

On this Martin Luther King Jr. day, we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and the work that remains to be done. However long the arc of history, we continue to bend it towards justice.

Voices from the Archive

Activities available on IWitness for educators

What's Going On?: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2927?idiom=all

Sitting Down to Stand Up: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2399?idiom=all

Representation & the Power of Words: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2398?idiom=all

Meaning-Making / Racism: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/2397?idiom=all

1936 Olympics: Race, Politics & Civil Rights: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/292?idiom=all

Fighting in the Face of Racism: https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/454?idiom=all