As I start to write this blog post I can't even think of a title for it. Which is unusual. But the fact is, as I look at the next four years, I don't know what to expect.
On my drive into work this morning I was reflecting on the fact that today is Martin Luther King. Jr. Day. Martin Luther King Jr., was a great man and a great speaker. Today his words spoke even louder to me than they ever did.
As our nations embarks on a new political era, I could not help but think that if we are scared by what one man can do, can't we, the American people stand united and stay united instead of being divided by hate.
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an an enemy into a friend" is just one quote of MLK that comes to mind. He talked greatly of love and how love can drive the hate away. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
In looking back to our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson said; "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is Liberty." Here is where I think the problem lies, does the government fear us. I think not. Are they working for us or for themselves? Thomas Jefferson also said "Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." Are President-Elect Trump's threats, warnings and tweets just the tip of a iceberg that I pray doesn't meltdown into more hate and more division in this nation?
James Madison said "If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be under the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." Hmmm, makes you wonder if that is ISIS? Ronald Reagan said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Trump says build one. History is funny that way. It makes me wonder in 50 years how our next 4 years will read. Maybe there are enough checks and balances out there in our government that nothing terrible will happen and it will read as a small chapter of some successes and some losses and our biggest problem was which reality star we were electing into office next.
For me at this time I prefer to think of this quote by MLK - "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."
I prefer to agree with Dr. King when he said "I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality...I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."
Maybe it is not by accident that we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day before the inauguration.
Let it help us not take a giant step back when it comes to equality, let's not let hatred take the forefront and be what America is about. Let's not fear but love. Let's join hands and remember we can make a difference.
I leave you with this quote of Ben Franklin's - "It is the first responsibility of ever citizen to question authority."
and with that... it's another day in Catasauqua.
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