Drive Out Darkness and Hate

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which seems to be an appropriate time to stop and reflect on the goodness of life, because Lord knows there’s enough bad that fills the news. King, of course, is remembered for many things, but standing up and speaking out against injustice is one of the most important. Facing down wrong. Being one voice against social wrongs and daring to speak what he saw as the truth no matter what others thought or did or said.

That’s hard to do. I try, but I know I don’t always speak up when I should. I sometimes let others step up in times of adversity. But one thing I’ve always tried to do is give back to my local community. I’m sure it’s in my blood; my grandfather was an advocate of helping others, and of public service. Likewise, my parents were Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s, and they taught English in the African country of Somalia. And so as a little girl, I was raised on stories of how my mother living in Africa had two dresses instead of one, and that made her “rich” in the town where she taught. I was raised on stories of the Imam and the mosque across the street from my parents’ apartment and pictures of the local kids who climbed palm trees to get coconuts. I was raised to know there was a world where people were very different than I am, and I am forever grateful for that lesson at an early age.

I don’t think I’m brave enough to teach in a foreign country. But I do try to give back and help out when I can. I’ve tutored inmates at a local prison. I’ve cleaned litter boxes at my local animal shelter. I’ve protested a power plant that’s threatening to destroy eagle habitats, and I’ve joined a non-profit organization that is rehabbing a historic school building into a community center.
And the feeling of contributing is a good one. The idea that we can make other peoples’ lives better is a powerful one. Light and love can drive out darkness and hate in so many ways. Sometimes it’s just saying hi to a neighbor, or being patient with the cashier at the grocery store. It’s putting down our electronic devices and engaging in conversation with strangers. It’s dropping change into the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas and donating extra gloves to the warming centers in our towns. It’s adopting an animal or a child. It’s giving to our places of worship. It’s helping other peoples’ places of worship when they are attacked or vandalized. It is loving and believing that love is more powerful than any other ugly forces in our world.

I hope you continue to find light and love in all the places you go, and if you’re someone who volunteers or gives back to your community, then THANK YOU.  Have a wonderful day. Spread love.