Dear Friends:
What painful times we are living in. What has prepared us to respond to this? Perhaps we are ill prepared in some ways, but in other ways, we can learn. Our Unitarian siblings in Romania lived under a dictator and learned to be sly in preserving their heritage and to teach their children carefully and quietly. We can do that, too.
Those among us who are accustomed to living with oppression know about keeping humor close at hand and not letting an oppressor take away one’s inner dignity, even while confined. Let us follow that model. When the pressure is on, hate is too easy. Those who have lived in a police state remind us to be kind to those living through this horror alongside us.
Build up the songs that uplift you so you can lead the singing in the prison cell.
Memorize the words that strengthen you so you can silently recite them while others would torment you.
Like many black people in this country, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. navigated a government that sought to dehumanize his people. Let us learn from his life experience and others who are not famous, yet whose steady non-violent training gave them great influence.
On Monday, in honor of that struggle and hope, may you find a way to deepen your spiritual muscles for our justice work, and for sustaining neighborly care.
With respect and tenderness,
Rev. Alex
Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God.
From “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Delivered at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on 31 March 1968.
