Just two weeks after quoting Hitler during a speech Congresswoman Mary Miller took it upon herself to quote Martin Luther King Jr. to “celebrate his life and legacy.”

She chose two popular quotes from King, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools” and “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

The King quotes are contrary to the ideals of the man who she said was “right on one thing,” the men she quoted being even more contrary. King fought for civil rights, freedom and equality for everyone, while Hitler organized the deaths of 11 million people and advocated for white supremacy.

While the point Miller was attempting to make with her quoting of Hitler is obvious, it should be noted that she chose an idea that is universal and could be attributed to anyone but chose to use Hitler as her example.

Words matter and the true thoughts and ideas behind those words matter just as much.

We at The Daily Eastern News encourage Miller to consider this quote from King before thinking both men’s ideas deserve to be highlighted by quotes:

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

Everyone can choose the right words and fight for the right ideas and it should not be expected, but demanded, that our representative do just that.