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January 29 - February 15, 2021
while war could never be a positive or absolute good, it could serve as a negative good in the sense of preventing the spread and growth of an evil force.
A second basic fact that characterizes nonviolence is that it does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship and understanding.
A third characteristic of this method is that the attack is directed against forces of evil rather than against persons who happen to be doing the evil.
The tension is, at bottom, between justice and injustice, between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. And if there is a victory, it will be a victory not merely for fifty thousand Negroes, but a victory for justice and the forces of light. We are out to defeat injustice and not white persons who may be unjust.”
At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love.
Agape does not begin by discriminating between worthy and unworthy people, or any qualities people possess.
Agape is a willingness to go to any length to restore community.
The Holy Spirit is the continuing community creating reality that moves through history.
He who works against community is working against the whole of creation.
Booker T. Washington was right: “Let no man pull you so low as to make you hate him.”
I saw further that the underlying purpose of segregation was to oppress and exploit the segregated, not simply to keep them apart.
“You must be willing to suffer the anger of the opponent, and yet not return anger. You must not become bitter. No matter how emotional your opponents are, you must be calm.”
With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory. “I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.” At that moment I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced Him before.
