In our stories and histories, humans often glorify violence and struggle. We render conflicts great and small as physical confrontations with clear winners and losers. Reality, however, reveals few solutions born from violence. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we should consider a different path. We should aim for righteous nonviolence, even if we fall short.
Storybook Solutions
Some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn. – Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), The Dark Knight
Human stories and myths often simplify reality, giving us the ability to solve even big problems with two clenched fists. Rather than fighting discrimination, inequality, slavery, prejudice, or exploitation, protagonists enjoy the ability to focus on human opponents who embody the underlying evils. Fictional tales describe unyielding villains with little complexity and zero flexibility. Such characters allow only one type of conflict resolution: a winner-take-all physical confrontation. Plots need do little more than set up the final battle, because the uncompromising villains become the problems that require solving. And, importantly, we never need to consider the villains’ perspectives.
Realistic Results
Real life, unsurprisingly, generates few climactic battles. Every human being possesses a complex backstory and a potentially-shared perspective. With every human playing the role of protagonist, fights do not happen between defined “good guys” and “bad guys.” Often, defeating a foe with violence simply creates a new foe intent on avenging his predecessor. The proverb “violence begets violence” did not arise spontaneously.
Back in the world of stories, The Saga of Burnt Njáll provides an illustrative example. An Icelandic family saga, Njáll’s story revolves around a violent feud between two families that draws in friends and neighbors. Hawkish family members on each side retaliate after every violent encounter, and the body count rises. Eventually, trying to play peacemaker, Njáll gets burned alive in his home along with his entire family. That’s the only kind of solution that violence can provide: destruction that burns people and perspectives away.
Righteous Nonviolence
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today, in the United States, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Take some time and read about the man’s life. King fought against some pretty big villains – racial inequality, prejudice, poverty, hatred, bigotry, and an unjust war. His pursuit of nonviolence and righteousness remains part of his lasting legacy, along with his continuing quest to promote love, peace, and equality.
Despite the violence that claimed King’s life, despite the violence that still opposes racial equality and justice today, we need to remember King’s words. Only by proceeding with righteous nonviolence can we encourage dialogue, promote peace, and come together in unity.
One cannot build through destruction. We can merely clear the area, erase the drawing board, or wipe clean the slate. Ganesha, remover of obstacles knows that destructive violence has its place. Sometimes, we do simply need to get negative influences out of the way. To build, however, we must include, must find a foundation in common ground, then raise ourselves a step higher. Reach out with peace and love, support the dream.
Struggle in Song
Here are 5 songs for your consideration on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The lyrics speak for themselves.