As we recently celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I invite your readers to ponder the ways of peace as defined by his words and actions. This can be aided by an examination of his many speeches, including his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 awarded for his leadership in the nonviolent struggle for civil rights. In humility he accepted this award on behalf of all the unnamed individuals of the American Civil Rights Movement. This speech is widely available on YouTube, and other media. I urge your readers to listen to this speech and to question where we now stand on the road to peace and to the brotherhood of man.
He stated that we must reject aggression, revenge and retaliation and create alliances to overcome common problems. He warned against spiraling down a militaristic path leading to nuclear destruction. I contrast this approach to what we are hearing and seeing every day from those in positions of trust. Let’s not make a mockery of the Nobel Peace Prize at this time in history.
It is time for every individual who wants peace to actively promote peace in their rhetoric and their deeds. In 1964 Dr. King urged his audience to stand up to violence and oppression with “unarmed truth”, stating that genuine brotherhood is more precious than diamonds, silver or gold. Can we do that?
D. Libow