I still believe that love is the most durable power in the world. Over the centuries men have sought to discover the highest good. This has been the chief quest of ethical philosophy. This was one of the big questions of Greek philosophy. The Epicureans and the Stoics sought to answer it; Plato and Aristotle sought to answer it. What is the summum bonum of life? I think I have discovered the highest good. It is love. This principle stands at the center of the cosmos.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
From a November 4, 1956, sermon delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
When we finally catch our groove and create a true Ministry of Love, I want in. I carve out time each day to think about love — read about it; listen to people talk about it; search it out; try to hold it. I look for how love sounds; how love can solve problems; pop-culture love; how love looks; who speaks of love and for love; love throughout and for the ages; my human-ness; bliss; clarity; spontaneity; improvisation; passion; language; learning; how it feels; how love is diplomacy; love as a muse; and how love carves a path to peace and connects with compassion. I hope the Ministry will give me a hookup.
So during the last week I’ve been lost in love and searching for a theme for next year’s commemoration of brother Martin Luther King’s legacy. I’m reading a couple of bios (one on Buddha and one on Muhammad), free flowing to myself, checking out the tubes, and walking around trying to catch a few vibes. Then, I came across this video statement:
That’s strong. It’s refreshing; powerful; and, relevant. Love this because people from all over the world engaged in a loving act – come together and discuss the role of compassion in our lives. Nice to see believers knee deep in building for us all instead f slugging it out. A global crew showed courage to suggest a manifesto for this age – compassion as the basis for human progress. Must be love?
This video pushed me to see that the good Dr. King was one of those people who stood up for love and with love as the simple plan and the approach for making me, and this world, better. He reminded me that love’s got my back — about the hard work of living with love; love as a real power; and, the way love confronts.
So, in January, let’s give props to Dr. King by exploring the durable power of compassion and love. Let’s make it inspirational, creative, and different. Got any ideas for helping us to think about love and Dr. King? Let me know.
Peace.
Always dug this Cornell West freestyle: “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
Yeah, I saw it — derprintergang’s “Der Printergang” video:
(Also saw the same video, with different captions, on a variety of other subjects.)Students, as Nazis, concerned about University print policies and residential computer labs – I know it’s over the top, and I do get the point – ouch!
Heard the word on the street about this video throughout campus, including conversations with administrators and faculty.I refrained from replying to folk with DM and e-mail links so I could think about it before I passed it on or made comment.Don’t misread me – I’m not a killjoy; I love a good remix; I live for decent satire; I adore commentary on things going on; and, I think human around race, culture, and ethnicity, when done right, is some of the funniest stuff I’ve heard.My gut told me that this time I needed to move on.
Not sure we’re at a point where people portraying Nazis makes good satire.Reminded me of the unease I felt this summer with the Nazi commentary and remarks embedded in some conversations and demonstrations about health care.Maybe we should be over it.Maybe I’m just part of a generation that’s needlessly sensitive about these images and what they have implied – perhaps it’s time for us to grow up and appreciate humor.Is this akin to the Ego Trip videos that I enjoy? Do I need to just lighten up?
I’ll still think hard before I forward or retweet a satirical commentary that uses Nazis.
My first response when I saw this video was, “Oh, snap!”I knew this had to be political satire (pretty good stuff, but I couldn’t find the names of the comedy writers).This is real and “keepin’ it real.” Politicians don’t do this kind of thing – show their families, especially when they are not in keeping with what’s believed to be traditional in American society?In America, people who want to get elected do not make tape like this and slam them on the tubes:
True – I never thought I would see this type of ad during my years on this planet.I’ve reconsidered.
This is “gangsta” – maybe the kind of campaign ad that can only fly New York (City); the old school spot where people from all over the world show up and where nothing is traditional. No, maybe this is the result of that era – we gave ourselves to during the last presidential election cycle – that is young, more racially and culturally experienced, and understanding that many folk worked hard to create.Is this the sign of that new America I’ve heard so much about, lately?Or, is this just the usual and time for me to declare the old racial cold war over?
Peace.
P.S. – This is not meant to be an endorsement of the candidate in the video.
