U.S. Senator Bobby Kennedy with Cesar Chavez 
January 15th marks the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He would have been 78 years old.
Dr. King wanted to be remembered not as anyone extraordinary, but as someone who tried to help; someone who in his words “tried to give his life serving others… tried to love somebody… tried to be right on the war question… to clothe those who were naked… to visit those who were in prison… tried to love and serve humanity.”
Leading by serving -- it’s also what was called for by Mohandas Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, The Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and countless other leader servants.
On January 15th we hope you’ll not only remember the mortal human, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who tried to do what’s right, but also remember what he stood for – the immortal cause of social justice.
Dr. King didn’t invent the fight for social justice, he just powerfully mobilized and organized our shared conscience. He saw the good in us and called us to live up to that potential. He vibrantly pointed out the truth and gave us the encouragement to not only reach for it, but to continue on that righteous path.
In each of us is the potential for greatness, for we all have the ability to serve. So this Martin Luther King Day celebrate by living Nonviolence – put love into action. Help someone in need; speak out for justice; give your power to good and help build a brave new future.
Article/Lecture: “Every Crisis Has Both Its Dangers And Its Opportunities…”
When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965 on behalf of the Civil Rights Movement and the countless, often unthanked, overlooked and persecuted individuals fighting for a better world – “all those to whom beauty is truth and truth beauty” – he was the youngest recipient of the award at 35 years old.
While his acceptance speech is often read, his lesser known lecture the following night is a wonderful window for those of us who consider ouselves students of Nonviolence.
The lecture explains the power and necessity of the Civil Rights Movement, the call for Nonviolence, his definition of the force of love, what Dr. King saw as the three evils (racial injustice, poverty and war), an expressed faith in the goodness of people, and a recognition of the urgency to put that goodness into action.
The Nobel Prize website has the text of this lecture as well as a link to an audio recording of a portion of the same lecture.
Leaders Are Readers: Read When You Can -- "Nonviolence In Theory and Practice"
We are asked again and again, “Would you recommend a book or books for me to get started in and to understand Nonviolence?” The good news and the bad news is that the list of wonderful books on Nonviolence seems to be endless.
We understand that many of the people reading the Nonviolence United newsletters aren’t only living and breathing Nonviolence, they are also very involved activists. Who has time to read all these books?
Our first recommendation is to try to make more time for reading (or listening to audio books). Many of the answers are already there and we have the masters of Nonviolence at our fingertips. Tap into that wealth of knowledge gained quite literally through blood, sweat and tears.
But, while you work on finding more hours in the day, you might consider picking up a copy of “Nonviolence In Theory and Practice” by Barry L. Gan and Robert L. Holmes (second edition 2004). This is a great resource to have on hand for quick and easy essays on Nonviolence. Let the book fall open to any page and dig in.
From the publisher: “This much-anticipated Second Edition adds twenty-three new readings to an already impressive collection of writings by some of the leading theorists and practitioners of nonviolence. Holmes and Gan provide a diversity of articles on both secular and religious origins of nonviolence; articles by or about Gandhi, King, Tolstoy, and Chavez; feminist approaches to nonviolence by contemporary writers; new articles addressing the theory and practice of nonviolence with respect to nature and animal rights; and fresh examples of the application of nonviolence to conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Tibet. The collection includes the perspectives of those committed to nonviolence as a principle, those committed to nonviolence primarily as a tactic, and those for whom nonviolence is a personal practice. The selections have been arranged to engage those who are new to the philosophy of nonviolence. After an opening section on its origins, the next section focuses on three principal philosophers of nonviolence, followed by an examination of women and nonviolence and a discussion of pacifism. The final sections take a closer look at how nonviolence is implemented, including specific examples drawn from different regions of the world. The breadth and depth of articles promote critical thinking about the nature and efficacy of both violence and nonviolence and allow readers to discover the many ways in which nonviolence can be employed to achieve meaningful objectives.”
We think that's a pretty accurate description.
Remember, if you want to order books, consider buying them from your local bookstore or online with BookSense.com -- your online source for local bookstores. And consider a copy for your local library.
Practicing Nonviolence: Make It A Day On, Not A Day Off
We hope you use the Martin Luther King holiday as a day of service. If you have the day off, the holiday is a great opportunity to find an organization or a cause to volunteer your time, energy and talents. It’s a great way to be the change you want to see in the world.
When you volunteer, you become part of a community of caring people. One of the best feelings in the world is when you discover that there really are others, countless others, out there who really do care, who really do want to help make the world a better place for all. Join in the efforts of those who understand and welcome those who are searching.
If you’re “at work” that day, perhaps you might use the day to explore and expand your circle of compassion. Maybe you’ll walk to work rather than drive; maybe you’ll make a point to smile and acknowledge those around you; maybe you’ll help open the hearts and minds of your coworkers or customers even a little bit. Maybe you’ll practice a better way to treat others, to cooperate, to build rather than tear down.
Start a watercooler conversation about Nonviolence; bring to work some organic, fair-labor, vegan goodies to creatively, powerfully and yummy-ly point out that it feels great to live Nonviolently connected to people, to the planet and to the animals.
Nonviolence can be a strategy. And Nonviolence can be a way of life. But we believe most powerfully that Nonviolence as a way of life is the strategy.
Words To Live By: "... What Are You Doing For Others?"
"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’"
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In this issue …
2. Article/Lecture: “Every Crisis Has Both Its Dangers And Its Opportunities…”
3. Leaders Are Readers: Read When You Can -- Nonviolence In Theory and Practice
4. Practicing Nonviolence: Make It A Day On
5. Words To Live By: "What Are You Doing For Others?"
About Nonviolence United
Our mission is to see the world become a just home for all -- no more wars, no more hunger, no more suffering of one for the greed of another.
It can be done. And there is a remarkable way to make it happen. A way that builds rather than tears down. A way that allows you to live your ethics rather than selling your soul. A way where everyone is loved and no one is hated. A way that fills you with hope. A way that cannot be stopped and can never be destroyed.
Our Strategy
- Recognize “economic non-cooperation” (along with the cooperation with good industries and services) as a powerful Nonviolent means of advancing social justice
- Organize and unite the social justice movements within this strategy
- Quickly spread this strategy to the people via the social justice movements
Thank you!
Nonviolence United exists through the kindness and generosity of caring people like you. Please support our ongoing efforts to promote Nonviolence as a way of life and as a way of social change.
Keep Your Ideas Coming!
Nonviolence
P.O. Box 1161
Boulder, CO 80306
T: 720.252.8449
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