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I know politics and religion are especially touchy subjects. Subjects I often avoid with strangers. However, I am disgusted and embarrassed as an American today. It’s very disheartening that a former president is being inaugurated again today on Martin Luther King Day.
We’ve been through this before. Unfortunately, it was during a time that the entire world was thrown upside down, intensifying emotions from all sides. I am mature enough to accept having a leader whose policies aren’t the same as mine. What I have a problem with is the purposeful division created by that leader. In my lifetime, I have never seen so much hate and dissonance amongst the American people. I went to a somber place mentally constantly hearing angst from both sides.
After reading an Instagram post from Bernice King, I’ve realized how important MLK’s principles are during this new chapter for the American people. Below I am sharing Dr. King’s Fundamental Philosophy of Nonviolence. You can read more about The King Center’s mission is to empower people to create a just, humane, equitable and peaceful world here.
Principle One: Nonviolence Is a Way of Life for Courageous People.
Principle Two: Nonviolence Seeks to Win Friendship and Understanding.
Principle Three: Nonviolence Seeks to Defeat Injustice, or Evil, Not People.
Principle Four: Nonviolence Holds That Unearned, Voluntary Suffering for a Just Cause Can Educate and Transform People and Societies.
Principle Five: Nonviolence Chooses Love Instead of Hate.
Principle Six: Nonviolence Believes That the Universe Is on the Side of Justice.
My wish for anyone reading this post is that you take these principles to heart. Regardless of which political side you are on, let’s all choose to be on the side of humanity. It is essential to establish a fair and considerate community that values equality, respect, and justice, regardless of our varying viewpoints. It’s with sincere hope that Donald Trump will embrace these standards throughout his next four years in office.
