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Today
"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.
You may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. You may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate, nor establish love. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, 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." -- MLK, Jr
King's position on non-violence changed over time. He originally felt it was unrealistic in some situations. However, travel to India and study of Ghandi's work showed him how non-violence could work in social conflict.
"Prior to reading Gandhi, I had about concluded that the ethics of Jesus were only effective in individual relationships. The 'turn the other cheek' philosophy and 'love your enemies' philosophy were only valid, I felt, when individuals were in conflict with other individuals. When racial groups and nations were in conflict a more realistic approach seemed necessary. But after reading Gandhi, I saw how utterly mistaken I was."
Here is a man who was beaten, jailed, opressed. He fought every day of his life, and yet he still managed to win without violence. He is accorded more respect than most in our nation's history. Three men's birthday's are celebrated as national holidays: Washington/Lincoln on President's day, and MLK. The man's legacy is inarguable. He knew how to achieve victory without force of arms. I submit that those of us who cannot are simply not as brave, as virtuous, as brilliant as that man.
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it's quiet in here
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