Greenpeace

Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political moral questions of our time.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

A little over 78 years ago, one of the most influential figures in North American history was born in Atlanta.  The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. became a leading voice in the U.S. civil rights movement, making inspiring speeches, mobilizing thousands to take to the streets, and forcing remarkable societal changes.

Today in the United States, we honor his life through a national holiday.  It's a day to reflect upon the change brought about by this amazing man and the many who took up the cause for justice, equality and fairness here in the land of opportunity.  Unfortunately, his message and his legacy have become fodder for political campaigns and sensational journalism.  Disappointing, especially given the long road ahead of us here in the United States before true justice and equality becomes a reality.

King's message of nonviolence is relevant now more than ever.  It was the images of peaceful protest- be it in the form of massive marches on Washington, or the more disturbing  images of water hoses, police dogs and batons turned upon even the smallest of nonviolent protester that brought a nation to begin to change itself, and took a candid world by storm. 

Throughout the struggle for civil rights, King consistently reaffirmed his commitment to nonviolence, the most powerful tool for social change.  While the struggle continues, his valiant legacy lives on, in part due to his noble pursuit of nonviolence.  King's six principles have always been a source of strength for me in the many movements in which I count myself a member.  They're on a whiteboard above my desk, but I thought I'd put them here again (they're always worth repeating).

Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.

Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people.

Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.

Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.

Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

I am proud to work for an organization that holds sacred the principles of nonviolence.  As King said, it is a way of life, not merely a bullet in the study of U.S. history, the Indian independence movement.  I am a firm believer that more than ever, nonviolence is relevant to our society.  Greenpeace currently has 44 people onboard its ship Esperanza in the Southern Ocean actively preparing to use nonviolence should the Japanese whaling fleet decide to senselessly kill whales.  We are also facing criticism for not actively cooperating with groups who do not espouse the principles of nonviolence, principles that are, again, at the very core of Greenpeace. It always fascinates me when people are criticized for refusing to abandon their principles in a fight that commands fortitude and purpose.

On this special day for the people of the United States, I'd like to remember what nonviolence really is, and send good thoughts to all the people all over the world engaged in nonviolent resistance, and my friends who have kept the whalers at a standstill for ten days now.