"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Yesterday's tragic events took place a few blocks from the birthplace of Two Trick Pony — a spot on the Boylston Street sidewalk where Carrie and I met. Boylston is a street we both worked on and so know well, seeing the images of it covered in blood and smoke is beyond words, although nothing compared to what the runners, fans, victims and their families are going through. Our hearts are with all of them and with all victims of violence everywhere.
There is a lot of commentary being posted about yesterday's events, thankfully much of it full of compassion and hope. This article by Zoe Weil struck a particular cord with me. She says, "There is darkness in the world. There is cruelty and meanness and wanton violence and political violence. But they are ultimately small acts in the face of massive goodness – awful as they are when they happen. History shows a consistent and relentless shift toward greater democracy, greater understanding and tolerance, greater acceptance. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” and he was right.
Don’t we see this everywhere: Women voting and going to school; civil rights spreading across the globe; gays and lesbians receiving equal rights in many countries and states; animals receiving protections (albeit still far too limited) unheard of in previous centuries; global outcry against injustice, against exploitation, against environmental destruction?
Are our violent tendencies gone? Of course not. But we are not cheering at the Coliseum as slaves entertain thousands in fights to the death. Instead, we are crying by the millions as our fellow citizens are injured and killed by bombs detonated at a hallmark of our physical achievement: the Boston Marathon."
The full article is here.
We believe, as Zoe does, that humane education is one vital way to foster a society that rejects violence, hate and injustice while spreading compassion for all living beings. We teach our children math, science and reading, all of which are important, but we must also teach compassion, empathy and justice. I know that Carrie will be raising her baby (due to be born any day now!) with these values.
If you feel powerless and that your actions can't possibly effect change, you are mistaken. Every action we take effects us, those around us and in turn the world. Simply showing kindness to ourselves, friends, family and strangers is a good place to start. Teaching kindness to our children will carry the message forward. There will always be times of darkness in the world, but the many acts of kindness that spring from them are what get us through.
Love and peace, Laurie
There is a lot of commentary being posted about yesterday's events, thankfully much of it full of compassion and hope. This article by Zoe Weil struck a particular cord with me. She says, "There is darkness in the world. There is cruelty and meanness and wanton violence and political violence. But they are ultimately small acts in the face of massive goodness – awful as they are when they happen. History shows a consistent and relentless shift toward greater democracy, greater understanding and tolerance, greater acceptance. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” and he was right.
Don’t we see this everywhere: Women voting and going to school; civil rights spreading across the globe; gays and lesbians receiving equal rights in many countries and states; animals receiving protections (albeit still far too limited) unheard of in previous centuries; global outcry against injustice, against exploitation, against environmental destruction?
Are our violent tendencies gone? Of course not. But we are not cheering at the Coliseum as slaves entertain thousands in fights to the death. Instead, we are crying by the millions as our fellow citizens are injured and killed by bombs detonated at a hallmark of our physical achievement: the Boston Marathon."
The full article is here.
We believe, as Zoe does, that humane education is one vital way to foster a society that rejects violence, hate and injustice while spreading compassion for all living beings. We teach our children math, science and reading, all of which are important, but we must also teach compassion, empathy and justice. I know that Carrie will be raising her baby (due to be born any day now!) with these values.
If you feel powerless and that your actions can't possibly effect change, you are mistaken. Every action we take effects us, those around us and in turn the world. Simply showing kindness to ourselves, friends, family and strangers is a good place to start. Teaching kindness to our children will carry the message forward. There will always be times of darkness in the world, but the many acts of kindness that spring from them are what get us through.
Love and peace, Laurie
