Day 4 (June 14, 2007)
Today I decide to fast. I plan only to drink fluids. Nothing builds will power more than fasting. Two of the strongest human urges are sex and food. If you can deny yourself food when hunger pangs set in, you are working your will like a muscle. After a while everything will remind you of food: tv commercials, ads in magazines, and the mundale prison meals all of a sudden become so desirable.
However, when you fight off temptation the mind becomes clearer and sharper. You tend to pay attention to the smallest detail. Since I'm in the mood I guess I'll catch up on some reading.
I come across a part in a philosophy book that says we should try to walk the path of great men. For some reason Malcolm X and Martin Luther King comes to my mind. All the brothers admire Malcolm and most look down on King. In my early days of ignorance I used to be this way.
I think the reason why the guys can relate to Malcolm is because of his background. He was a hustler, a player, a thug, a gambler. That agression was still there even when he turned his life around. He still had that toughness associated with street life.
The perception of Martin is that he was passive and a coward. However, nothing can be further from the truth. Martin was probably one of the bravest leaders we've had in the black community. It takes a lot of courage to do what he did. I can't even imagine putting myself in his shoes. With each march, each speech, each public appearance he knew his life was on the line. He never deviated from his principle of non-violence.
He still preached, he still marched, he still loved! Think about it for a minute. How much courage it took to love and pray for someone who spat in your face. The restraint it took not to react. To tame that beast that is in every man (anger - revenge) - to truly turn the other cheek. A lot of Christians preach forgiveness until it is their turn to forgive - then it becomes a subjective term. But not for Martin.
For this reason I believe he was a great man.
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1 comment:
This is interesting about your thoughts on Martin Luther King because I as a female even white look up to Rosa Parks. The first black woman to sti in the front of a bus that took courage in 2 parts being black and a woman. I think anyone who has courage should stand up and keep fighting, like you ad your courage to continue the fight for your freedom. Martin Luther Kind did it and so can the rest of us. As we stand together fighting for the freedom of those wrongfully convicted showing ou courage in the fight something has to come soon for all this. Kudo on your writing and thoughts Charles.
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