Facilitating Paradox

The ultimate weakness of violence
is that it is a descending spiral,
begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.
Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.
Through violence you may murder the liar,
but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth.
Through violence you murder the hater,
but you do not murder hate.
In fact, violence merely increases hate....
Returning violence for violence multiples violence,
adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

~Martin Luther King Jr.

I start my new job at OWU next Monday, "Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Observed (USA)". My sister pointed out how this is a good omen, saying "Martin Luther King Jr. was a big-time social action man and you have that all over your heart." She's kind.

Let's hear it for the Christian Pastor who was so influential on our society that his birthday is a national holiday! Let's hear it for the martyr slain trying to show that violence is the wrong way to solve any problem! His non-violent tactics to overcome oppression were a threat to the establishment in Memphis because they work! That's why they took him out. Let us not forget it.

We must learn to live together as brothers [and sisters] or perish together as fools.

~Martin Luther King Jr.