Thought for the Week: Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness
“In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline…we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”
Today America Celebrates…
The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King’s fame is tied, of course, to his leadership in producing positive change for Black Americans. But he is equally famous for insisting that darkness cannot drive out darkness. That real change can only be accomplished through peaceful, respectful means. Through loving rather than hating our enemies—who so often turn out to be our neighbors. Dr. King loved his friends. But he also loved his enemies.
Do we?
How Desperately…
We need his legacy today. True, many people told Dr. King (and Gandhi, and Mandela, and Jesus) that “only force and fear can produce change!” But the problem, Dr. King knew, was that after the smoke cleared, we would all have to face the future together—those who’d forced the change and those upon whom it was forced.
If change is not brought about peacefully, respectfully, it doesn’t last. Instead, it only lays the groundwork for the next act of violent, forceful change.
And on and on it goes.
So Let Us Refuse…
To drink from the cup of bitterness and hatred. Instead, let us “rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force,” of driving out hatred…
With love.
These words will always ring true. We do have to face the future with each other, no matter what our differences.
🧡
Just beautiful…
Amen.
So true! Peacefully and respectfully, Amen.
Amen Mitch. Just wrote that quote in my journal this morning. We’ve never needed it more.
So true, Colleen. And good to hear from you.
A perfect quote and statement of Dr. King. It is of no use to react in the same cruel way and expect things to become better. That only causes more resistence and aggression. If we want peace, we need to be peaceful – and smart!
Exacty, Erika!
AMEN.
Thank you, Mitch. The cycle of hate for hate and force or force–cyclical except (or in that) that each hater or forcer believes its hate or force the stronger and shall win–has to be changed. The word “Refuse” got to me. Even though we should be busy about peace, sometimes the response could and should be refusal. Don’t do the evil. Though the consequence might be grim.
Amen, Christopher.
Appropriate words for our times.
Amen
A beautiful quote and reminder. Thanks for sharing, Mitch!
My privilege, Ab.
Well said, Mitch. Thank you.
My privilege.
Amen!!!
Soul force. An excellent mantra. Hugs.
Hugs back, Teagan.
Amen to that. He was truly a great man. His words still resonate today.
They certainly do, Michael.
Perhaps now more than ever.
☮️🕊️✌️😌
Yes, Mitch. Actually, this is the hard truth many resist. Violence may win moments, but it cannot win the future.
Amén 🙏 y amén
Thank you, Mitch. What a beautiful message of wisdom and truth. May we rise …❣️❣️🙏🏻🙏🏻
Amen, Karla❣
I love this quote!!
AMEN, Mitch! And thank you for these wise and timeless reminders.
My privilege, Nancy.
Mitch, good day to you, and thanks for sharing these reminders of what each one of us aught to strive towards–transparency only light allows. With love we accept others.
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The MLK quote is one that never loses its edge no matter how many times you encounter it. What strikes me is how counterintutive it feels to most people in practice, even those who agree with it in principle. There is something almost radical about insisting that the method itself is part of the mesage. Dr. King understood that how you fight for something shapes what you actually achieve. Really worthwhile reflection here.
Thank you, and right you are.