MLK Talks about Love and Power. Thoughts?

[qwlauren35]

Now, we got to get this thing right. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and that love without power is sentimental and anemic. (Yes) Power at its best [applause], power at its best is love (Yes) implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love. (Speak) And this is what we must see as we move on.

- 1967, Where Do We Go From Here

http://kingencyclopedia.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/documentsentry/where_do_we_go_from_here_delivered_at_the_11th_annual_sclc_convention/

The speech is 1 hour long, probably faster to read it. I love the man, but he is a slow speaker.

[applegrove]

1. I keep thinking of Van Jones' words: "We have to create a love army".

Last edited Mon Jan 16, 2017, 02:44 AM - Edit history (1)

And we do.

[lovemydog]

2. I've found it true, in my experience.

I think we need a profound awakening. The President also spoke about it in his farewell address.

“Laws alone won’t be enough. Hearts must change,” he said. “If our democracy is to work in this increasingly diverse nation, each one of us must try to heed the advice of one of the great characters in American fiction, Atticus Finch, who said, ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’

and

"I do have one final ask of you as your President -- the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I'm asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change -- but in yours. I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes, we can. Yes, we did. Yes, we can."

I think we are in another crisis. Only profound internal changes will facilitate external changes that include love. I think we start internally, and then locally with our loved ones and those around us.

Thanks for your post. It got me thinking. What are your thoughts?

[qwlauren35]

3. My thoughts.

Regarding the quote I posted, I thought the "power without love is reckless and abusive" quote is not only painfully true, but I am afraid that we're about to see it play out over the next four years. But the love without power quote hit me harder. It is a reminder that when King spoke of love, it was NOT the sentimental and anemic kind. It was the powerful kind. It was the determination not only to believe in the goodness of others, but to reach down deep and pull it out. To be determined to show people a mirror of themselves that they cannot stomach, so that they themselves decide to change.

I believe that most people, when they look in the mirror, want to see themselves as good people. (I don't think that's what Trump sees. I think he is fixated on being rich and powerful, and goodness does not fit into his equation.) But when they are being bad people, we have to show them. And perhaps suggest that they can be good without sacrifice. I think that's another thing that is real for people. They see love as weak. The sentimental and anemic love. So they reject it. And then, we must show them that love can be powerful, and that even as they love, they can be powerful people. That they are not mutually exclusive.

I think of the KKK. They want to be powerful. They can not envision a world in which power and love could co-exist. Maybe we can't change them, maybe we can. But it would require us meeting power with power. And hate with love. I'm not sure how we do it, but it's important that we try.

[lovemydog]

4. Yes, love is so powerful.

Like you say, NOT the sentimental anemic kind. The unafraid, powerful kind.

There are so many different kinds of love. Friendly love, erotic or sexual love, hallmark greeting card sentimental or even commercialized love. What we're talking about & I believe King was highlighting, is the kind that you describe - the kind that meets hatred head on. I'm not sure how we do it either qwlauren35. I agree that it's important that we try.

Maybe each person does it kind of in their own way. And joins movements like say the liberal movement or a march on washington or a local food bank, to feel a part of something bigger that can not only have profound positive impact on daily lives but can help us feel connected in ways that social media cannot.

Thank for sharing your thoughts. I enjoy reading them.