revolution. January 16, 2012

there are so many things to learn from the peaceful revolutionary Martin Luther King, Jr. I have to say, that as a kid growing up, i couldnt nor did i really wrap my brain around the importance of his words and works.

growing up in an area that wasnt necessarily the “right side of the tracks”, what i know now to be a  blessing, i was raised in a home that didnt really see “separation” or lines that cut. we were all just in the same boat for the most part. and i think i was probably quite naive to the presence of status, levels, and race/sexual/financial limitation. but as an adult i can really, really appreciate the progressive and other-worldly knowledge and insight that Mr. King successfully imparted as a movement.

every time i want to flip someone off for cutting me off, or every time i want to violently defend myself against some sort of an attack great or small-i can always go back to his influence. i can go back to joining in his belief in non-violence. his commitment to the idea that we are all one- truly softens the blow when im in an uncontrollable moment of attack. if we are truly all one, how would it assist me to hurt another? will it not just come back to me? if i am hurting another am i not hurting myself? yes, i am. at our core, we are the same. we all do seek love. we all do seek happiness. we all do need others. we all seek liberation and freedom. our sickness, lack, fear may manifest in different ways, yet we are all the same. 

there are so many facets to civil rights today. they are all equally important. they all need attention and action.

while there are still 17,000 children dying a day from hunger-

while there is still even just one gay couple that cannot marry-

while there are still races who suffer from bigotry-

while there are still women being raped and abused everywhere-

while there is still a need for precious young men and women to leave home to fight wars-

while animals are still being treated inhumanely-

while governments (ours not excluded) continue to control its people by fear-

and while its still not just understood that all humans are entitled to healthcare-

we must carry on the words of Dr. King.

we must carry on the words of Jesus Christ.

we must carry on the words of Gandhi.

we must carry on the words of Mother Teresa.

we must carry on the words of so many great people before us. people that were tuned into their own greatness and the responsibility that comes with that awareness.

“to whom much is given much is tested…”-Luke 12:48 and Kanye

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

we are all pre-programmed to serve the other,  to help the other, and to extend a hand to the other in need. this can be a practice in excellence. this, i am not even close to perfection. however, today (as it could be every day) to honor Mr. King in my way, and to honor humankind alike today, i would like to pay attention to my little judgements of others. be aware and vigilant of my thoughts that harm. today i can rectify my actions in any of those times in which i have been violent with words to another or withheld love from another human being. if i could pay homage DAILY to Mr. King or the other greats with an exemplifying rendition of their works as a blue print for my life-my world would be better for myself and the ones in my scope. 

peace.

rEVOLution.

n.