Apple commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with quote on website

Acknowledging the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Apple on Monday updated the front page of its website with a photo of and quote from the legendary civil rights leader, calling on people to fight for equality.

"Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights," King said. "You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in."

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook also took to Twitter to honor King, whose memory is celebrated with a national holiday on the third Monday of January each year. Cook said King inspires him to "help achieve justice and equality," and shared a quote:

"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."

Cook has named King as one of his personal heroes, and is a regular donor to the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, which honored him with its "Ripple of Hope" award in 2015. Over the years, Cook has spoken out on a number of causes important to him, including LGBT rights, gender and race equality, climate change, online privacy, and Syrian refugees.

12 Comments

techprod1gy 838 comments · 11 Years

About 7 years ago

Pretty powerful stuff. It is just crazy to think that equal rights did not exist at one point. I know some people / companies are still struggling with this but for the most part a significant part of the world has moved forward in a proper way.

flaneur 4525 comments · 14 Years

A Martin Luther King Day homily:

The always-with-you computer business is different from all other kinds of businesses.

From "a bicycle for the mind" and "Think Different" to Tim Cook's emphasis on inclusivity, Apple has always been in the business of consciousness-raising — using its tools, of course.

This is as it should be, because they're very powerful tools, and they can be used for consciousness-dimming purposes, as we've seen recently. Powerful tools should come with advisories and warnings. Use them to spread knowledge and good vibes, says Apple.

techprod1gy said:

Pretty powerful stuff. It is just crazy to think that equal rights did not exist at one point. I know some people / companies are still struggling with this but for the most part a significant part of the world has moved forward in a proper way.

And its crazy that equal rights still don't exist at THIS point. We've got to stay hungry and get smarter. We seem to be falling behind again . . .

spice-boy 1450 comments · 8 Years

The fight for equal rights for all Americans is far from over, thank you Martin Luther King for your brilliance, courage and showing us the way.

flaneur said:

techprod1gy said:

Pretty powerful stuff. It is just crazy to think that equal rights did not exist at one point. I know some people / companies are still struggling with this but for the most part a significant part of the world has moved forward in a proper way.

And its crazy that equal rights still don't exist at THIS point. We've got to stay hungry and get smarter. We seem to be falling behind again . . .

It is ignorant to think that equal rights fully exists...it is equally ignorant to think that it does not exist. Even thought the world has not fully embraced this concept there are many of us who have. This is individuals and also companies and communities.