On Jan. 15 we celebrate a man who lived and practiced nonviolence as his method to make change.
We honor Dr. King and all the individuals who put their lives on the line
to focus on the inequalities in our wonderful America. He did it without weapons, hate, or any violent act to shed light on the cause.
Dr. King was instrumental in getting the Civil Rights Bill passed by Congress in 1964.For his tireless work, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
He said that it was critical that all human conflict be resolved without revenge, aggression or retaliation. It was important to focus on the issues and use love force.
As Dr. King said, “An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.”
As retired educator and a student of nonviolence, I participated in several marches to support Dr. King’s work.
I still believe that nonviolence is the best way to resolve issues, whether in the family, community, or in the world. As a result people feel validated, and appreciate that they had the opportunity to be part of the solution, rather than the problem.
War is a weapon of impotence. It tells everyone that one no longer has the ability to resolve issues fairly, but needs to use some form of “force” to win.
In today’s violent world and our love of “guns” perhaps it’s time to teach the philosophy and power of nonviolence to schoolchildren so that they know its power.
Yes, it’s time to study the work of Dr. King and others throughout the ages who have used nonviolence to make change.
Fran Schmidt, Stuart
In 1990 Fran Schmidt received the Martin Luther King Outstanding Achievement Award from Yolanda King.