Martin Luther King, Jr.’s reputation continues to grow. Over
time his wisdom has been applied poignantly to many different circumstances. It
retains its punch, its relevance nearly fifty years after his assassination.
What a horrible time 1968 was. Two assassinations and only five years following
JFK’s assassination. Tumultuous times, but a decade of rethinking the basics of
American Life. New sexual mores, an
involved electorate, the coming of age of a huge body of youthful citizens
willing to be involved. Some will say this decade was a turning point toward
good. A lot of others will claim this was when all went wrong. Time will
eventually soften the opinion of the latter.
I continue to look back on the 1960’s as a very important
era. The youth stepped up. They fought the war in both Viet Nam (to
win it) and at home (to end it). They made their voices heard. They had
political impact, unseated a president, and set the stage to limit the
following president to honesty and truthfulness. He couldn't do it and so
resigned in disgrace.
The era was also one of lightheartedness. Youth explored
valiantly what it meant to be free, to be a sexual being, to be-not-uptight but
embracing change and happiness. It was a huge leap of faith socially. It upset
millions; it informed millions; it taught millions. All in all it led to major
social upheaval and change that shaped the rest of the century. It also gave
new rules to follow in the new millennium.
The latter is still a work in progress. It is difficult to
be one with self and others at the same time. But we are learning. Perhaps that
is why the elections over the past 20 years have been so wrenching. The old
guard keeps holding back the tide of time. Youth who are playing by those old
rules want the old guard to win as well. But new guard believers keep pushing
at the edges and limits. They are winning. They are made up of the young, those
who are older and have finally learned, our newer immigrant citizens who
continue to wonder why America
is so slow to adapt to new social norms while the America of commerce and education
has adapted so quickly to other revolutionary changes.
I started this piece with Martin Luther King, Jr. Here’s a
quote that got me thinking today:
“A
nation that continues year after year to spend more money on
Military Defense than on programs of Social
Uplift is approaching
Spiritual Death.”
As we attempt to move away from the ‘fiscal cliff’ by
limiting defense spending so social spending can continue on its mission of
life, we need to recall the fear which motivates defense spending in the first
place. Defense, yes; constant war, no. Preparedness, yes; at the cost of all
other social spending? No. I hope Congress listens to King. I hope they let
political posturing rest while the spirit of the nation and of Martin Luther
King, Jr. rise up and guide our decisions on this important issue.
And while we are at it, let us not forget the goal of social
spending. Education. Health. Charity. Living lives of value.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn had this to say about education:
“It’s
a universal law – intolerance is the first sign of an inadequate education.
An ill-educated person behaves with arrogant
impatience, whereas truly
Profound education breeds humility.”
Think back on the many examples of intolerance, bigotry and
hate spewed during the past election time. Think about it. Deeply. Intolerance
of differing opinions was on high display. On both sides of the political
argument. Some rhetoric was hyperbole, to be sure. But not all of it.
Intolerance has deep roots of ego, ignorance and lack of discipline.
May we repair that failing as best we can. It takes major
investment to accomplish it. May we find the resources to make it happen.
November 19, 2012
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