Nonviolence is a Way of Life for Courageous People

August 28 will mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech. As a student and admirer of Dr. King's I have been taking this time to reflect on the Kingian Six Principals of Non-violence. The first being: Nonviolence is Way of Life for Courageous People.  Nonviolence is not passive. It stands against injustice. The method is passive physically, but strongly active spiritually. I look today at the subtler forms of behavior that keep us from a peaceful community. Gossip, hmmmm...It's in the local coffee shops, restaurants and country clubs. I think teenage girls get a bad rap on this one. I have found more gossip pouring out of the mouths of prominent members of our community than a room full of 13 year old girls at a sleep over. Let's look at the components of gossip; judgment, ill will, damaging another's reputation. To create a community that is strong, supportive and progressive it must start with strength and integrity. A.J. Muste said "There is no way to peace, peace is the way." Let us start by respecting our neighbors, resisting the temptation to listen to criticisms and judgments. I myself have been called naive for taking people as they are. I will take that as a complement. One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others" Perhaps today it will be a simple wave of the hand when gossip starts. Standing up for one neighbor and not listening to judgments stands up for all our neighbors.