Monday's mp3: The Essence of Nonviolence

SoundRoots is feeling quiet and humble today, thinking about Martin Luther King Jr. and his uncompleted work. So here are some words from others on nonviolence, and love, and action.

“[T]aking fear away from people and replacing it with courage is the essence of nonviolence.”
-- Mubarak Awad

"Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak … Non-violence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win."
-- Cesar Chavez

"Nonviolence" does not merely mean to refrain from violence. Violence erupts when one person blames another for a problem or conflict. Conversely, nonviolence is a way of life in which one resolves, “Let me be the one to change first.” If this spirit were to be embraced, how much more at peace would our families and society itself be."
--Daisaku Ikeda

"The essence of nonviolence is love. Out of love and the willingness to act selflessly, strategies, tactics, and techniques for a nonviolent struggle arise naturally. Nonviolence is not a dogma; it is a process."
-- Thich Nhat Hanh

"Violence sometimes may have cleared away obstructions quickly, but it never has proved itself creative."
-- Albert Einstein

“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.”
-- Martin Luther King Jr.

Also, be sure to check out the article "The Martin Luther King You Don't See on TV" about MLK's work in his last years on economic justice.

Hugh Masekela has worked tirelessly not only as a musician, but as an activist and advocate for justice and equality in South Africa and beyond. He explains that this song is based on a traditional hymn sung at funerals, revivals, and church celebrations, invoking the spirit of community service to help alleviate the culture of poverty-related crime, disease, violence, abuse and addiction stemming from the frustrations that grew out of oppression, racism, exploitation, impoverishment.

[mp3] Hugh Masekela: "Send Me"
from his 2002 album Time

[interview with Hugh Masekela at Afropop.org]

tags: worldmusic, nonviolence, south africa, hugh masekela, mlk, martin luther king jr.