This principle of passive resistance or civil disobedience is credited with winning civil rights for black Americans. No matter what, no protester ever fought back while the Rev. King was alive. To use violence would have nullified everything in which Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi believed.
After a horrific scene in Birmingham, Alabama, in the spring of 1963, during which black demonstrators were attacked with fire hoses, cattle prods and police dogs, President John F. Kennedy, Jr. addressed the nation on television about the issue of civil rights. All through 1963, JFK worked to pass a moderate civil rights bill. President Kennedy was assassinated in November of that year.
After the assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson rode the 1964 Civil Rights Act through Congress. Although codifying civil rights in law was a step in the right direction, Rev. King struggled for four more years until he was assassinated by a sniper on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, TN.
This month, Martin Luther King, III visited India as his father had done 50 years earlier. He paid homage to Gandhi, voicing a causal link between the teaching of Gandhi, the tools used by Rev. King to free his people, and how Barack Obama was elected President of the USA.
The Blue Panther Experience is host for Blog Your Blessings Sunday. Visit the blog, grab the blogroll code, add it to your blog, and leave a comment. On the next Sunday, post your blessing, visit others on the blogroll so they will view your BYBS post. We are of all faiths, creeds and races, so everyone is welcome. Join us on any Sunday as we blog our blessings.
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13 comments:
The ability and wont of using civil disobedience and nonviolent direct action is an odd blessing... it's the fact that it works that is indeed a huge blessing... and may it always work, because many of these struggles are not over yet.
A very, Very Goodly blessing today! Thanks!
An important reminder of the transformative power of peace.
Blessings
Mama Kelly
Great post--very well written! Happy BYB Sunday! Hey, if you ever figure out what's going on with Page Rank, holler at me...it's such a curiosity and seemingly so random. I don't get it all. :-)
Wonderful historical reminder for our times. As a student of A Course in Miracles, I believe in and practice non-violence in my own life and pray violent thoughts and deeds will give way to compassionate action, mutual understanding and respect as we move through the challenges facing our country and the world at large. Thank you.
Hugs and blessings,
Almost seems an oxymoron to say those words together . . . non-violent activism -- when it comes to equal rights. But you know what? O think that defines the women's movement when it came to getting the vote. Not to detract from your important message of non-violent activism -- I have to admire MLK Jr myself. But I don't understand the comment abotu Obama because he is also half white. . . anyway, Happy BYB! Come and see mine.
@matthew-it was an exciting time and I was young enough to notice what was happening. It wasn't until I was older that I realized what I had witnessed.
@mamakelly-may the world always have the leaders to use it.
@kuanyin-Thanks for stopping by. Just when people know what is happening with PR, everything changes.
@virginia-Thanks for stopping by. Happy birthday.
He was a brilliant man. I think only now is his contribution to the development of this country is considerabe.
@paulie-you are right about the womens' struggle to get the vote. Hunger strikes in prison did much to bring sympathy to the cause.
@sandy-he was a great man in bad times. His death was a blow to us all.
Thanks for the weeks blessing.
The real Humanitarian aspect and a lot of Hope is reflected when we talk or read about such people.
Daisaku Ikeda from Japan is also a big follower of M.Gandi.
Last year I visited a exhibition featuring Gandhi-King-Ikeda and I loved it.
Have a look... http://www.gandhi-king-ikeda.co.uk/
Excellent post, and interesting history lesson!
Happy BYB Sunday :)
@rohit-Thanks for the comment and the link. I will check it out.
@sue-It was important in the southern USA. Some day, I want to meet and talk with you and Matthew.
As Matthew said it is a great blessing that non-violent activism works. I sometimes wonder what courage it would need to stand there and face the oppressors without fighting back.
I am not sure I have that ability in me.
Have a great week ahead!
@neo-I am so glad you stopped by. Gandhi lives! This BYBS is for you.
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