Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Today we remember and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A champion of civil rights, justice, nonviolent resistance, antipoverty, global peace...A great American who was taken from us way too early at the age of 39 but whose message will live on forever.
I admire Dr. King for what he stood for, his methods, and his courage. But I probably admire him the most for his commitment to love in the face of injustice, indignity, and physical violence. For me at least, this is the hardest of Dr. King’s lessons to practice. But it’s also probably the most important. It was the central theme in a sermon he often gave titled Loving Your Enemies. And while there were different versions of this sermon (for example here and here), the message was the same: love is always superior to hate.
“There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. ‘Love your enemies.’”
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
This is what I’ll be reflecting on today. What message(s) of Dr. King inspires you the most?
Be good to one another. Peace to you all.
January 15th, 2024 at 9:21 AM ^
Race relations today are not perfect, and they probably never will be, but I believe MLK would be thrilled with the progress that’s been made since he’s been gone.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
I'm confident that it MLK were alive today, he would still be dedicated to the cause for which he spent his entire life: fighting for racial justice.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:04 AM ^
Yes, he certainly would be. As much as this country has progressed, there remains so much more to strive/work for and (hopefully) someday accomplish.
The quest for true equality must never rest. Especially this year as the election year process unfolds, pay heed to the actions of (rather than the empty words uttered today by) many who seek power. Embrace those who strive to unite us, rather than those who seek to further divide us.
Dr King had a dream. Together and united, we can help make his dream someday become reality. 🙏🏾💪👍🏻✌🏽
January 15th, 2024 at 9:27 AM ^
Go listen to some of his sermons today (if you haven’t before).
They don’t make ‘em like him anymore.
January 15th, 2024 at 9:30 AM ^
“If you can’t fly then run
If you can’t run then walk
If you can’t walk then crawl
But whether you do you have keep moving forward”
MLK
January 15th, 2024 at 9:39 AM ^
Rest in Power, Dr. King
January 15th, 2024 at 9:43 AM ^
I'm not old enough to remember the man, but the older I get the more I respect I have for what he did and how he did it in the face of such hate. Movies aren't real life, but if you haven't watched Selma - tee it up tonight. It does a good job showing the hate thrown at people for just trying to live their lives. I can't imagine how mad one must get to resort to such violence - and still think its the right thing to do. And yes, we know that the asshats that beat people, burn crosses, and otherwise choose 'supremacy' as an answer think they're righteous in doing their work (listen to the idiots at the Charllotesville rally a few years back). I simply cannot imagine what goes through their empty heads to believe it's okay to beat someone down that is just trying to live their life and be happy.
I'm enjoying a day off on the back of Dr. King. I won't have to try very hard to not tear down some guy just going about his business...
January 15th, 2024 at 9:52 AM ^
Obviously lots of quotes and snippets of speeches are going to be thrown around today, but this is one that catches my attention every time:
“Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them and the social conditions that cripple them is a spiritually moribund religion awaiting burial”
January 15th, 2024 at 9:52 AM ^
Sadly, MLK would be dismayed to learn his dream has been reversed
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:11 AM ^
I assume you're implying that MLK was advocating color blindness which is just not true. Check in with his family as it's quite frustrating that he was murdered and now his words are twisted to represent something he was against.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:15 AM ^
I'd add on for those who are interested that nothing in psychology or cognitive science advocates for colorblind ideology. It's quite clear that human brains take in substantial amounts of data without system 2 processing it and are influenced by that data without awareness of it. As a simple example, see the clipboard study. For race specific you can see how skin tone activates the amygdala prior to awareness of the image.
Good reading on this can include Thinking Fast and Slow and I really like How Emotions are Made by Barrett. For impacts on the social construction I'd recommend The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
Ehh, I had a long post typed out but I decided to sit this one out. Suffice to say, the historical record and King's own words say you're wrong and cherry-picking a quote doesn't change that.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:01 AM ^
Good job. Suffice to say that engaging on this will not end well for this thread.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:14 AM ^
There are other quotes available.
“I must confess that that dream that I had that day has in many points turned into a nightmare.... I’ve come to see that some of the old optimism was a little superficial and now it must be tempered with a solid realism. And I think the realistic fact is that we still have a long, long way to go.”
January 15th, 2024 at 11:17 AM ^
I see your "I have a dream," and raise you a "letter from a Birmingham jail."
I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
Well said.
As expected, there is the pushback basically asserting that he didn't really mean what he said.
January 15th, 2024 at 1:05 PM ^
And as expected, there are some here who reject MLK's words. That's disappointing.
January 15th, 2024 at 2:41 PM ^
Literally that's you, and I don't even expect direct quotes to change your mind, but here you go
January 15th, 2024 at 3:05 PM ^
Literally you flat out reject some of his words which are as clear as day and embrace other words which are arguably open for interpretation. You do all of this to fit your own preferred narrative. You're wrong. That's not me.
But it's irrelevant. I share MLK's "dream" for everybody and celebrate this day with a hope for that dream.
I don't expect to change your mind either. You are free to disagree.
January 15th, 2024 at 1:42 PM ^
In what way has his dream been reversed?
January 15th, 2024 at 9:59 AM ^
Peaceful pursuit of justice. Love for our country and it's core values, and our fellow man and women are some that come to mind. Peace and best to everyone here, and everyone.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:43 AM ^
"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny."
January 15th, 2024 at 10:45 AM ^
When I was in my 1st year of high school, I had the chance to attend his speech at Grosse Pointe South HIgh School in May of 1968 with my parents who both attended. I passed. What can I say, I was young and stupid.
One of the major regrets in my life.
January 15th, 2024 at 10:52 AM ^
The call for justice without resorting to violence.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
Thank you for this excellent post. Always a great day for reflection. May Love shine in you and yours.
January 15th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
MLK taught me the most important rule in life, that is:
"treat others the way you want to treat them".
January 15th, 2024 at 12:46 PM ^
‘It’s always the right time to do the right thing.’ MLK
Let’s all be kind to each other