Bernice King urges GOP lawmaker to study father ‘more comprehensively’

Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., urged Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) to study the civil rights icon “more comprehensively” after Boebert tweeted a quote from King’s father.

Boebert was one of many lawmakers tweeting quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday in honor of the holiday bearing his name.

Boebert tweeted “ ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’ – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.#MLKDay

— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 18, 2021

In response to Boebert’s tweet, Bernice King tweeted, “I encourage you to study my father more comprehensively and to attend @TheKingCenter’s virtual sessions on his nonviolent philosophy and his work to eradicate racism, war and poverty. A powerful book to start with is his last one, ‘Where Do We Go From Here…’ ”

The quote used by Boebert came from a book written by the civil rights leader called “Strength to Love,” according to the National Constitution Center. 

The full quote, according to the center, reads: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.”

Bernice King appeared to reference “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” The book was published in 1967, the last before his assassination in 1968.

I encourage you to study my father more comprehensively and to attend @TheKingCenter’s virtual sessions on his nonviolent philosophy and his work to eradicate racism, war and poverty. A powerful book to start with is his last one, ‘Where Do We Go From Here…’ #MLK #MLKDay https://t.co/KVAJBg3SQ0

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 18, 2021

The Colorado Republican has come under fire and faced calls to resign after she objected to President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory even after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol carried out by a mob of President Trump’s supporters.

Bernice King wasn’t the only person pushing back against Republicans using Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes on Monday. The NAACP pushed back on White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany when she tried to use the same quote as Boebert.

.@PressSec you dare not utter the words of a man who sacrificed his life in the fight for equality and truth, while you spewed hateful rhetoric and worked in the most hateful and divisive Administration in modern history.#MLKDay is a call to action.

Your Action: Shut up! https://t.co/c51ZiFLu9v

— NAACP (@NAACP) January 18, 2021