Monday, January 15, 2018

MLK

I have always believed in the value of faith, hope and charity and I am doing OK.




I passed this sign last year in Washington DC on my way to the Capital for the Women's March.  As we walked, we noticed that most of the houses had these signs attached to their gates.  The words of Martin Luther King were the inspirational words to guide us on or way.   

"I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear."

"The time is always right to do what is right."

"In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends".

"Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere".

MLK's speeches are part of the history of our lifetime but are, sadly, needed more today. They are words we read, but they should be the words we live.

Peace and justice begin with us.








63 comments:

  1. Dear Arleen, thank you for sharing these inspiring words by MLKing. How did the March go? Did you get really cold? Do you feel invigorated to get out the vote for 2018? If so, how are you going to do that? Do you have any suggestions for what I can do not that I don't have a car? Peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Dee,

      This year the goal is to get out the vote. My suggestion is that you contact your local political party’s headquarters and ask what it is that you can do from the comfort of your home. I am hoping that this year more people will make the effort to get to the polls and exercise their right that many before us fought so hard to get.

      Delete
    2. Dear Arleen, thanks for the advice. I'll do exactly as you suggested. Peace.

      Delete
    3. Dear Arleen, it's been a while since you last posted and I'm hoping that you are just taking a break and that you are not enduring ill health or any other trauma. Peace.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for reminding us of that inspirational day. Last year we stunned ourselves with our will; this year it about voting. Every year it's about voting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. His wisdom is at LEAST as necessary today as it was then. And how I love each and every one of these quotes. Things to live up to, things to live by.
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As technology has taken us forward at a rapid pace, humankind has seemed to take steps backwards in how we treat each other. MLK’s words remind us that we are all in this together and justice belongs to us all.

      Delete
  4. What where the women marching about, you didn't say!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Women's March on Washington last January the day after Trump's inauguration.

      Delete
    2. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

      Millions of people from around the world marched a year ago in fear that the rights and dignity that we had fought so hard and for so long would be in jeopardy. As the past twelve months have told us, we were not wrong. The work continues and this year we will march to the ballot boxes and show our power.. I marched not for me but for my children and grandchildren and a better world for them.

      Delete
    3. Cro, According to Wikipedia, the 2017 Women's March was "a worldwide protest to advocate legislation and policies regarding human rights and other issues, including women's rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, reproductive rights, the natural environment, LGBTQ rights, racial equality, freedom of religion,and workers' rights."

      Delete
    4. The 2018 Women's March is more of the same, although "emerging themes of the 2018 events are voting and women running for office."

      Delete
    5. I had considered going to tthe 2018 march. However I thought that sequels diminish the originals. I am committed to getting out the vote this year in my local precincts. There are many ways we can all contribute. I am not anti anything, I am pro America and pro humanity.

      Delete
    6. Thanks for all that. I'm obviously out of touch!

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. May they never be forgotten. He lived for only 39 years before he was struck down by a bullet and hate.

      Delete
  6. "In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends" - somehow chilling.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! I'm super impressed that you went on that historic march for women! It's always great to see and hear such powerful words of wisdom, but as you mentioned, it's so much more meaningful when we can actually live them. Hugs...RO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, RO. It was an experience that was powerful and wonderful. What I experienced and saw there will stay with me forever.

      Delete
  8. I especially like the one,"I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are no upsides to hate, Colette. In this toxic environment, I often have to remind myself of this.

      Delete
  9. Me too, I stick with love. I used to live with too much hatred and resentment, but no more. I want to enjoy every ounce of this life. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hate destroys, and love, which can be hard at times, is always the better way to go. Rain, your posts tell me that you put your whole being into having a healthy and happy life.

      Delete
  10. Great leaders come along too seldom, and too often live short lives. MLK was such an influence for good, and his words and ideas are needed as much today as ever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, Jenny. It hardly seems possible that it was 50 years ago that the world lost this exceptional man. Many have tried, but no one can fill his shoes.

      Delete
  11. When I saw this post, MLK, listed I thought it was about the white stuff that comes out of cows! Martin Luther King is not known as MLK over here, although he is well-known. His words resonate today as much as when they were first spoken.
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s ethereal Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roads in many of our cities and towns are named for Martin Luther King, Jr. and they are mostly called by the initials. Everyone knows his name and his message is just as important today as it was 50 years ago.

      Delete
  12. Arleen, thanks for reminding me of that demonstration of human coexistence, in which you --and my Chicago Daughter-- participated last year. The influence of that worldwide statement will never end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will never forget my day there and the message that we sent. However, that was day one and the work began right away. This year my Retired Man and I worked at the polls and saw a majority of women and minorities win elections. Never before had that happened in our district. There is hope.

      Delete
  13. I think the country is in deep trouble with all the hate and discord going on. I wonder what MLK would have thought about things had he been alive today. He wanted peace and harmony.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are like a house divided. My thoughts are that we would have had turmoil no matter who was elected. The Internet and all its hatred has contributed greatly to this. There is so much noise out there and we are all spinning around.

      Delete
  14. I applaud you for participating in the march, and thank you for quotes of wisdom.

    I've actually been speechless to read some very nasty posts on Instagram written by people I've blogged with for many years. I had gotten away from Facebook because it had become a war of words, and now I see it happening within a group of lovely women on IG. I don't have a problem with anyones preference in leadership, religion, faith, whatever. But when it becomes nasty and filled with hatred, please spare us.

    Amen to you and your husband in getting involved.

    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  15. MLK made a change that still needs to be made, but he spoke so clearly that no one could deny his wisdom. Marching in that event speaks words loudly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I met a lady at a peace vigil this year who had marched with MLK to Mississippi. She was only 18 at the time. Shaking her hand and talking to her was a highlight in my life.

      Delete
  16. Wise words, indeed...it would be wise to follow them.

    ReplyDelete
  17. If only more could live by his words that have been written on that sign!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What wonderful quotes and I agree with them all. How good that people placed them on their gates as you walked by. (And I'm so proud of you for going to that rally.) Actions like these help to counter the deep depression that I feel about the politics of America and Britain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the conflict and discord has affected us all. Words of hope and people with a more practical world view where bombs and bullets are not the first consideration are needed desperately.

      Delete
  19. Hi Arleen,

    Such poignant quotes from MLK. We must all march in the right direction that leads us to a world of rejoicing in the diversity and learning from each other.

    Thank you, Arleen and thank you MLK.

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some days, Gary, I think that greed is winning over empathy and I am disheartened.

      Delete
  20. I have a feeling my "blahs" are based more on the state of American politics than it is on anything else... but I'm fighting them. Considering some of the historic elections that have taken place recently, and how women, young people, and minorities have been motivated to VOTE and make a difference is very heartening. So are posts like yours. MLK was an amazing man and his quotes resonate today as much as they did fifty years ago.

    Like this one: "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." Hope, kindness, and justice will prevail. To think otherwise is... unthinkable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am going through the same thing, Susan. Everyday there is a new crisis and it is beating me and others down. I still have hope, though, that kindness and justice will prevail.

      Delete
  21. Thanks for sharing these quotes from MLK.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He lived his words and was a remarkable leader, something we desperately need now.

      Delete
  22. What a huge difference just one man makes. You can read that any way you like, be the man good or bad.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Things change, they always do. And love will always trump hate.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very good post. I just stopped in to see what you've been up to. Hope all is well there.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Absolutely and thanks for the reminder...:)

    ReplyDelete
  26. We remember and honor MLK well here in Atlanta. Such a learned, thoughtful and eloquent man, a trillion light years away from our so-called Commander-in-Chief. Compare any of his brilliant quotes with the disgusting, childish, untrue and idiotic things we are subjected to every single day from the highest office in our country; it breaks my heart :(

    ReplyDelete
  27. What an inspiring post. Most of the world looks up to MLK and other Civil Right's leaders. My seniors are doing a poetry unit and one of my students has chosen De Bois' I Am the Smoke King. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you Arlene, for stopping by and for leaving me some words of comfort. It means alot to me. How are you doing?--hope all is well.

    ReplyDelete
  29. If every single one of us Lived these Words I can just Imagine what a Wonderful World it would be!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for marching for all. I was there last year, but this year I was in Australia. One of the high points of the last decade has been meeting Rep. John Lewis and having an opportunity to speak with him. May we all desire peace enough to work for it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I really love your new header. And what you say is true. I find it hard to feel loving when those who I thought were my friends stay silent, which has been happening in the political sphere here. But, it does me good to read your reminder of how I should be, because I know it's true. Thanks! Have a good week!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Pretty much says it all those words. I remain optimistic in spite of the daily headlines....

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hola
    te mando mi blog por si queres criticar.

    Gracias.
    Besos


    http://anna-thistorias.blogspot.com/2018/06/el-silencio.html?m=1

    ReplyDelete