Speak Compassion

It is no secret on this website that Martin Luther King, Jr. has been a huge influence on my life.     I have spent the last several years of my life studying nonviolence.  It is impossible to study nonviolence without learning, reading and on many levels, living the message of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, the 40^thanniversary of his assassination marks a legacy that was gifted to us.    In learning about Dr. King and his message we learn that he believed in the beauty of mankind.  He believed that given the opportunity, all men will be amazing.  King, a Christian, espoused the beliefs and teachings of a Hindu named, Mohandas Gandhi.   His ability to learn and live by the code of another’s religion should be a new lesson for us to learn today.   Rather than try to change another’s beliefs to his own, King looked at Gandhi’s religion and work and applied it to his own.   If only we could all do that.

King would have been a supporter of Gay rights.  I know this with all my heart because I believe in the principles and Steps of nonviolence that King taught.  The fist of King’s steps to solve a problem is to gather information.   King would have listened to the stories of GLBT folks, read and studied the material available to make a clear decision.  He would have seen what the experts say and tested it. 

In the letter from the Birmingham Jail King wrote: “In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action.”   I believe that in the collection of those facts from all sides, King would have stood on the side of Justice.    He would have looked at the studies and seen that the vast majorities of medical and mental health organizations agree on sexual orientation issues.   They stand on the side of justice and full equality for GLBT folks.

King would have looked at both sides of the situation.  He would have listened to the stories of hardship and discrimination, but he would have also looked at the beliefs which so many hold close to their hearts that claim homosexuality is a sin. In the end,  I believe Dr. King would have determined that injustice was living and thriving for gay and lesbians Americans.   I also believe he would have supported and fought to help end that injustice.

I have learned much from King’s writings and life story.  I have learned that retaliation is a form of violence.  I have learned that violence goes far beyond the fist.  I have learned the most destructive forms of violence in our society lurk under our noses, racism, poverty, homophobia and religious bigotry.   It won’t be the guns or fights that destroy us, but the class warfare and competition to have more power, more influence, more money.

One thing King left us was a legacy of hope that if we stand up, speak out and fight without violence, we can end war and oppression.   King left us hope that we can change the world.   I hope that we do, but I also realize the first step is deciding the world needs to change.   I am afraid not everyone has come to that point.

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper
darkness to a night already devoid of stars… Hate cannot drive out hate:
only love can do that.  - Martin Luther King Jr.