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4.65 AVERAGE
4.65 AVERAGE
'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere'.
This quote more than any other moves me, and serves as a reminder that tolerating injustices of any kind, whether directed at me or at others, represents an incredibly slippery slope.
Nearly 50 years after his assassination, Martin Luther King, Jr remains a voice of strength and love and compassion aimed at shattering the hatred that justifies racial injustice. Sadly, nearly 50 years later, much of his writings and reflections related to his faith in a loving and just god and the reality of being black in the 1950s and 1960s America ring true today. As a diverse nation, we've come some way from the dark days of the civil rights era; but, if the last year has provided me with any sort of measuring stick on where we as a nation now stand, we still have much further to go.
I do not share MLK's faith. Despite being raised in a Southern Baptist family, their god and the stories in The Bible never really made sense to me. Their god was one to fear, whose wrath was fierce. And, much of the rhetoric I heard justified the supremacy of those like us -- white, middle class, priviledged. In Strength to Love, MLK uses his faith and scripture to justify justice. To justify love rather than hatred. To justify compassion and inclusion.
So much of this collection of sermons and reflections remain relevant in these times. In a chapter entitled, 'The man who was a fool', he states, 'The means by which we live have outdistanced the ends for which we live.' I couldn't help but wonder what he would think of our world today, where technology has boomed. I wondered if he would be demonised as a 'fake news pundit' or a antifada anarchist. But, I also wondered how powerful these tools could be when coupled with his various messages and teachings, particularly amongst those who share his faith. And, particularly when addressing the various unarmed shootings of young black men by police officers.
He closes this chapter with these words: 'What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world of externals---airplanes, electric lights, automobiles, and color television---and lose the internal---his own soul?' I'm not sure where I lie on the existence of a soul, but whilst we in the United States possess so much stuff, I wonder if we haven't lost which makes us truly rich beyond wealth. More than anything, I can only imagine how much more fortunate (and happier) we'd be if we would only view our fellow citizens as worthy rather than as ideological or racial enemies.
Strength to Love may represent a piece of our past and a long ago moment in our young nation's history. But, to my mind, it serves as a powerful guide for what we still need to accomplish as individuals and as a nation.
Of course, MLKJr is an incredible person. I think it’s so important to read books like this, books written by someone so important and influential in our history. It is important to get a better/deeper understanding of the work he did and the deep thoughtfulness behind it so that we can continue to carry out his work, understanding his heart behind it, to the best of our abilities.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
“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. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says “Love your enemies,” he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition. Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies– or else? The chain reaction of evil–hate begetting hate, wars producing wars–must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”
I am a bit embarrassed that it took me so long to get to this book. First of all the book was published in the 1960’s. So it has been around for fifty plus years. Secondly, I have owned a copy for a couple of years. Lastly, it is only 155 pages. Its size is not intimidating. However, the content is amazing and deserves lots of thought and reflection.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. We haven’t made much progress since he was taken from us. On every page of this book there are words that apply to our present issues of racial prejudice and inequality. If we would only listen to what MLK has to say we would be better off.
I hope I can continue to hold his values in front of me so I can make the necessary changes in myself.
I am a bit embarrassed that it took me so long to get to this book. First of all the book was published in the 1960’s. So it has been around for fifty plus years. Secondly, I have owned a copy for a couple of years. Lastly, it is only 155 pages. Its size is not intimidating. However, the content is amazing and deserves lots of thought and reflection.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. We haven’t made much progress since he was taken from us. On every page of this book there are words that apply to our present issues of racial prejudice and inequality. If we would only listen to what MLK has to say we would be better off.
I hope I can continue to hold his values in front of me so I can make the necessary changes in myself.
I was expecting profound words on racism. What I was not expecting was a viewpoint on disarmament in the Cold War as well. It makes me sad that these words are still so politically relevant today, but at least these words do exist. Highly recommend, even if you are not Christian/religious.
I'm sure it is a 5 star book, but some of it went over my head. A truly beautiful voice silenced before his time.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
What could I possibly say to add to the words of Dr. King? I am amazed by both his dedication to justice and his profound faith in God and his fellow man. He preaches the kind of Christianity that speaks to my atheist heart, and if more preachers thought and acted like him, we would be a much kinder world.