Meaning: The quote "Dr. King used Gandhi's commitment to non-violence and to passive resistance" by Al Sharpton, a prominent civil rights activist and politician, reflects the influence of Mahatma Gandhi's principles on the tactics and strategies employed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement in the United States.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a key figure in the American civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality and justice through nonviolent means. He drew inspiration from the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which was famously practiced by Mahatma Gandhi during India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

Gandhi's commitment to non-violence and passive resistance, as articulated in his philosophy of Satyagraha, greatly influenced Dr. King's approach to social and political activism. Satyagraha, a term coined by Gandhi, combines the Sanskrit words "satya" (truth) and "agraha" (insistence), encapsulating the idea of nonviolent resistance grounded in truth and moral force.

Dr. King admired Gandhi's ability to effect social change through nonviolent protest and civil disobedience, as demonstrated in Gandhi's leadership of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi's principles resonated deeply with Dr. King, who believed in the power of love, truth, and nonviolent action to confront injustice and oppression.

In his own activism, Dr. King applied the concept of nonviolent resistance to confront systemic racism and segregation in the United States. He advocated for peaceful protests, boycotts, and acts of civil disobedience to challenge discriminatory laws and practices. Through his leadership in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Birmingham campaign, and the March on Washington, Dr. King demonstrated the effectiveness of nonviolent activism in mobilizing public support and pressuring authorities to enact social reforms.

Al Sharpton's quote acknowledges the pivotal role of Gandhi's philosophy in shaping Dr. King's approach to social change. It underscores the transnational impact of nonviolent resistance as a universal tool for challenging injustice and advancing human rights. By recognizing the lineage of nonviolent activism from Gandhi to Dr. King, the quote highlights the interconnectedness of global struggles for freedom and equality.

Furthermore, the quote serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of nonviolent resistance in inspiring future generations of activists and leaders. The principles of nonviolence and passive resistance continue to reverberate in contemporary movements for social justice, serving as a guiding light for those who seek to address inequality and oppression through peaceful means.

In conclusion, Al Sharpton's quote encapsulates the profound influence of Gandhi's commitment to non-violence and passive resistance on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s pursuit of civil rights in America. It emphasizes the enduring relevance of nonviolent activism as a powerful force for social transformation and underscores the interconnectedness of global struggles for justice and equality. Gandhi's principles continue to resonate in the ongoing quest for a more just and equitable world, inspiring individuals and movements to uphold the values of truth, love, and nonviolent action in the face of adversity.