Martin Luther King, Jr. Day came early for me this year. The past month has been a challenge for me and I have been revisiting King quotes and speeches for personal inspiration. Reading King’s words inevitably galvanizes my resilient spirit.
A few readers and close allies have suggested that I stop pursuing justice in my dog bite incident, claiming that nothing can be done and I should resume to my basically buoyant persona without further stress. Dr. King said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” and I have taken those words to heart.
Fortified for peace and justice
Of course, Dr. King’s fight for national civil rights and equality dwarfs my mission seeking safer streets in Folsom, but I am fortified by his sentiment to continue my stand for justice in my community. If one puppy’s steadfast resolve can spare another citizen the frustration felt from insufficient police protection and policy regarding dog attacks, my mission will be complete.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” I think Dr. King meant to say “man and dog” and these words speak to me personally, for it is not comfortable or convenient to stand up for what is right and just. I feel that I’ve become the center of a strange controversy and am being challenged by friends and non-supporters alike.
Dr. King preached fighting against injustice with peace and democracy. Through MLK’s life and legacy we have examples of how to peacefully demonstrate and how to use our words and persuasion to affect meaningful change.
“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” I strive to be one the minority that has creatively dedicated myself to make the world better.
Does the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. inspire you to dedicate yourself creatively towards a better world?
This is a great post…it’s always a good reminder when days like this come around to reflect and think of ways we can make this world a better place.
Lori @ According to Gus recently posted..Smashed Face
Heidi, Atticus, Wilbur
Anytime we ignore our desire for peace and instead take arms against a sea of troubles, not with any intent to fix our own situation (we can never undo what happened to you) but rather to draw attention to something as potentially deadly. We must forget the pain remembering it only as a passion to right a wrong!
There are 2 other quote from MLK which are very appropriate:
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
and “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Laine D.
http://www.ThoughtsfromABroad.net
Laine D recently posted..A Challenge Met
Thanks for stopping by, Lori! It’s a wonderful day to be inspired, yes??
Excellent quotes, Laine! the first one is in the post and I love the second one too! I had so many quotes but only enough room for a few of them.
Thanks for your comment! You line ” We must forget the pain remembering it only as a passion to right a wrong” is Pawsome!!
So proud of you! it is never popular or easy to stand up for what you know is right and to want to be an instrument for change. But what would happen to this world if everyone just decided to sit back and do nothing about injustice, cruelty, ignorance or tyranny? I am so grateful to those (both past and present) who have chosen to make a difference through truth and perseverance and courage, and am hoping and praying that you will have the support you need to stand strong. Know I am here to cheer you on!
Donna, I think you may be my biggest cheerleader!! and for that, I give you my deepest thanks! Your question “But what would happen to this world if everyone just decided to sit back and do nothing about injustice, cruelty, ignorance or tyranny?” within your comment is wonderful and fortifies me further!
Even before I saw this post, I knew Atticus would speak with passion today. The blogosphere is so full of tributes today, all with inspiring quotes but not all with the genuine voice that Atticus brings. I was really moved by this, and I think this world needs to be reminded of the courage required to stand up for justice.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
Judy Stone-Goldman recently posted..When Losing Data Isn’t Such a Bad Thing- My Just-Right Lesson
Judy, you say that you think my voice is genuine means the world to me! When I put paws to keyboard I try to write from the heart and I’m so pleased that you can feel that. Your comments always lift my day
I believe we are obligated to persue justice and to right wrongs whenever possible.
I saw an interview on NBC this am with Dr. Laura Schelssinger. Her new book, How to Surive a Shark Attack on Land, sounds fascinating. Atticus, your mom may find it interesting:
http://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Shark-Attack-Land-Overcoming/dp/0061992127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295383517&sr=1-1
I will be reading it soon.
Debbie
http://www.FreshBrothers.Wordpress.com
I REALLY don’t think you should let the fight for justice go. I do hope you can let the pain go for your own sake (and your mama’s and Wilbur’s) and make it a fight that doesn’t drag you down emotionally though.
I’m still feeling very weird about this dispute between friends locally. One friend posted a very inflammatory, rabble rousing and nasty (said some things about mentally disabled people that were not good) email to the whole of a meetup group I’m in. I think she was very out of order both in what she did and what she said in her email. She runs my book club. So far I have kept so quiet but in my own home she was talking about it and defending her position and I said nothing. I live in a small town and like my book club generally but I still feel bad about not saying something about the injustice of her comments. Still thinking about this one
Louise Edington
Facing Fears For Freedom
http://louiseedington.com
Louise Edington recently posted..When Events Stem Creativity
Thanks Debbie. I agree.
and congrats on your new location!!! So wished we were in So Cal to experience your gluten free pizza!!! best of success to you
It sounds like you may need to stand up for yourself too, Lou… sounds like a touchy situation, but you need to be true to you! I’m anticipating a post from you on this subject.. hope so!
I think you should speak your mind, do what you feel is right, to take care of the situation. Too many people don’t seek justice because they are afraid or it’s not worth the time and effort. I know friends that their house has been broken into a few times. They weren’t going to call the police to report it but I urged them to do so just because it may help the police track them somehow or help another family or house not to be broken into.
I enjoyed your post and think all should seek justice peacefully just because it will help the next person. These dogs that attacked you and your dogs may do it to someone else and if you don’t make a stink that next victim can fair far worse.
Great job!
Thanks for stopping by, Carol! Yes, my fear is also that these dogs may cause greater injury to someone else and that’s a reason to stay in this “fight”. FYI. the offending dogs live directly across the street from a school… scary!