Thinking Out Loud: Opt for Peace

Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is taken from Dr. Martin Luther King’s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1964

“After contemplation, I conclude that this award which I receive on behalf of that movement is a profound recognition that nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time – the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression. Civilization and violence are antithetical concepts.― Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Note: How long do we have to endure people who prefer violent solutions? Violent solutions are not limited to acts of war, but also occur in families, neighborhoods, the halls of government, and in social media. Words are used as weapons to attack, belittle, and destroy those who disagree. Do we want a world based on violence or one based on respect and civility? It begins with each of us in how we treat ourselves and those around us. Today opt for nonviolence in language, written word, and attitude. Opt to be kind, civil, and compassionate.