Thank you for this inspirational and much need uplifting message to begin this journey for democracy’s survival. I continue to be grateful for your leadership.
Thank you for the writings of MLK. His words are as inspiring today as yesterday. I
I hope that in the coming days, a man or woman will rise who can lead as well as MLK. I am thankful for you and others who are standing in the gap for democracy.
What a wonderful, uplifting way to approach what to me is an awful day and a sinister moment in our history. You are correct to say that we must not give up because even those who have opposed justice for all leading up to this moment have been relentless in their pursuit of power, with lies as their sword and shield. This is not the example of MLK or Rosa Parks, yet they have shown us what their perseverance can render. They have set the example, albeit a perverse one.
Why should we not do likewise, for the sake of democracy and our fellow Americans? We can wield the truth instead of conspiracies, and build a moat of compassion and empathy around our wall of righteousness. We can travel the road of justice, though we may not know where it leads. I still say, even after all these years…YES, WE CAN.
“The tranquillizing drug of gradualism,” wow, that hit deeply. Dr. King and the Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh, both embraced the term "Beloved Community" as a vision for a world rooted in compassion, justice, and nonviolence. Here we are building community, and if MLK could have the courage, strength and indefatigable energy to stay steadfast, so can we. Thank you Steven for this beautiful piece to remind us of what is essential for the battle. Warriors we are and from the battle we emerge triumphant.
…” This is a time to gather your strength and stay engaged. This is a time to seek out guidance, to be nourished by the wisdom of others, to remember that you are not alone, to keep in mind that we are facing challenges that many Americans have faced throughout our history—and that we can get through this together.
This is not a time to give up. This would be a disservice to all the good people who came before us and fought for a democratic future defined by justice and equality of opportunity.
That’s why I’m grateful that this is the day to celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., rather than dwell on Trump’s inauguration.”
Yes, this IS a day to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.
As Martin Luther King warned from his Alabama jail cell in 1963, “freedom is never given freely by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” His words mirrored those of another great American about a century earlier. “Power concedes nothing without a demand,” Frederick Douglass said in 1857. “It never did and it never will.”
What is unfortunate about both of these statements is that the fight never ends. We must keep demanding, keep fighting. And remain ever vigilant.
Thank you... we must urgently do away with Citizens United & the Electoral College..neither are the "peoples" voice ... I know it's impossible to see in my lifetime but it is obvious it crushes most Americans ..even the magas... they just don't know it .. they will be sick, starving, unemployed & the Predator will cleverly try to blame the Dems...he cannot win/conquer without dividing us...hoping we get through the next 2 years... knowing most of the world is with us & laughes at him and will push back against him has some comfort
Based on what we’ve see so far, it seems it will have to be regular, everyday citizens who have to stand up and speak out. It would be too dispiriting to wait on the leadership of the Democratic Party to do so. Reading Steven’s words and those of Martin Luther King Jr. provides us with the inspiration and the road map to do so. And remembering that there are more of us than them is a good thing to hold on to. I’ll not be watching the inauguration, I’ll be revisiting MLK Jr’s words and choosing community over chaos, liberty over subjugation, resistance over capitulation. It may not be much, but it’s my answer to “what are you going to do?” It’s my something. I d say “God save us,” but there’s no lightning bolt, there’s just us.
On this day, more than ever, a reminder of MLK's words are needed. Today's fear of what may come is real. Admittedly, I haven't felt this way in all of my 65 years.
Thank you Steven for reminding us of what courage and decency has looked like in our history.
Today I’m reminded of my favorite Jack Nicholson movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest…”the patients have taken over the asylum”. Re-writing history and reality. I’m not buying a word of it.
In some ways, this inauguration reflects the failure of two branches of government, with slim majorities of GOP members, to follow the Constitution in their ethical decisions regarxing Trump's illegal actions. News keeps saying that the government held.
Today I will be celebrating the life of MLK and the example he set for all of us!
Martin Luther King, Jr.—such eloquence, such determination. Such bravery.
Thank you for this inspirational and much need uplifting message to begin this journey for democracy’s survival. I continue to be grateful for your leadership.
Thank you for the writings of MLK. His words are as inspiring today as yesterday. I
I hope that in the coming days, a man or woman will rise who can lead as well as MLK. I am thankful for you and others who are standing in the gap for democracy.
What a wonderful, uplifting way to approach what to me is an awful day and a sinister moment in our history. You are correct to say that we must not give up because even those who have opposed justice for all leading up to this moment have been relentless in their pursuit of power, with lies as their sword and shield. This is not the example of MLK or Rosa Parks, yet they have shown us what their perseverance can render. They have set the example, albeit a perverse one.
Why should we not do likewise, for the sake of democracy and our fellow Americans? We can wield the truth instead of conspiracies, and build a moat of compassion and empathy around our wall of righteousness. We can travel the road of justice, though we may not know where it leads. I still say, even after all these years…YES, WE CAN.
“The tranquillizing drug of gradualism,” wow, that hit deeply. Dr. King and the Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh, both embraced the term "Beloved Community" as a vision for a world rooted in compassion, justice, and nonviolence. Here we are building community, and if MLK could have the courage, strength and indefatigable energy to stay steadfast, so can we. Thank you Steven for this beautiful piece to remind us of what is essential for the battle. Warriors we are and from the battle we emerge triumphant.
So sad that we lost Nhat Hanh recently.
Brilliantly written!
As you say, We are not alone.
Excerpt from your words Steven:
…” This is a time to gather your strength and stay engaged. This is a time to seek out guidance, to be nourished by the wisdom of others, to remember that you are not alone, to keep in mind that we are facing challenges that many Americans have faced throughout our history—and that we can get through this together.
This is not a time to give up. This would be a disservice to all the good people who came before us and fought for a democratic future defined by justice and equality of opportunity.
That’s why I’m grateful that this is the day to celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., rather than dwell on Trump’s inauguration.”
Yes, this IS a day to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.
My mind will be thinking of the greatness of MLK, Jr. today and I will not tune into the sham that starts at noon today.
As Martin Luther King warned from his Alabama jail cell in 1963, “freedom is never given freely by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” His words mirrored those of another great American about a century earlier. “Power concedes nothing without a demand,” Frederick Douglass said in 1857. “It never did and it never will.”
What is unfortunate about both of these statements is that the fight never ends. We must keep demanding, keep fighting. And remain ever vigilant.
Trump takes the oath today because . . . Capitalism.
Our habitat is being destroyed because . . . Capitalism.
The fight never ends because . . . Capitalism.
Thank you... we must urgently do away with Citizens United & the Electoral College..neither are the "peoples" voice ... I know it's impossible to see in my lifetime but it is obvious it crushes most Americans ..even the magas... they just don't know it .. they will be sick, starving, unemployed & the Predator will cleverly try to blame the Dems...he cannot win/conquer without dividing us...hoping we get through the next 2 years... knowing most of the world is with us & laughes at him and will push back against him has some comfort
“This is not a time for silence.”
Maybe. I don’t think it’s a time for loud proclamations and self-congratulation either. Just do. March, sit-in, participate locally.
Based on what we’ve see so far, it seems it will have to be regular, everyday citizens who have to stand up and speak out. It would be too dispiriting to wait on the leadership of the Democratic Party to do so. Reading Steven’s words and those of Martin Luther King Jr. provides us with the inspiration and the road map to do so. And remembering that there are more of us than them is a good thing to hold on to. I’ll not be watching the inauguration, I’ll be revisiting MLK Jr’s words and choosing community over chaos, liberty over subjugation, resistance over capitulation. It may not be much, but it’s my answer to “what are you going to do?” It’s my something. I d say “God save us,” but there’s no lightning bolt, there’s just us.
On this day, more than ever, a reminder of MLK's words are needed. Today's fear of what may come is real. Admittedly, I haven't felt this way in all of my 65 years.
Thank you Steven for reminding us of what courage and decency has looked like in our history.
Today I’m reminded of my favorite Jack Nicholson movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest…”the patients have taken over the asylum”. Re-writing history and reality. I’m not buying a word of it.
In some ways, this inauguration reflects the failure of two branches of government, with slim majorities of GOP members, to follow the Constitution in their ethical decisions regarxing Trump's illegal actions. News keeps saying that the government held.
Hear, hear!
We have to stay united in order to rip this regime apart when the cracks begin to appear, as surely they will.