Our blogging friend Brandi from Mama Knows It All has inspired us to join her Martin Luther King 2nd Annual Peace Up, Link Up this year. Her challenge to us all was to: write a post on what you believe defines peace based on the following quote by Dr. King:
"True peace is not merely the absence of tension. It is the presence of justice."
To me this quote inspires me to think of that better world, the world we sadly do not live in now. The world where:
~ U.S. Soldiers would never dare to urinate on another person's body or humiliate them in any way, shape or form. Because at a basic human level that is so very wrong and sad and ugly.
~ Children would never have to worry that the adults in their lives would harm them, physically, emotionally or sexually in unthinkable and unspeakable ways. Because children are precious gifts bestowed to all of our care and this trust with the adults in their lives should never be broken in such unthinkable ways.
~ The government would never for the sake of a pretty penny allow (or even encourage) chemicals and inhumane handling of food that our babies and and children eat. Because people deserve to not be exposed to unnecessary toxic chemicals that could seriously harm them or their children for the rest of their lives.
~ Quality education would be an inalienable right provided to all children regardless of income or socioeconomic status. Because education should be uniformly offered across the board so that all of the children get the same opportunities to become intelligent, responsible, contributing members to our global society.
~ All people everywhere had food to eat. Period. Because no man, woman or child should be forced to endure the pain of starvation and famine.
~ Research to cure diseases like cancer and HIV AIDS would be a top priority for all countries that had resources, facilities, and scientists working on these global health problems. Because with enough funding and resources, these deadly diseases that have taken so many of our loved ones can and will be cured.
- Affordable, quality healthcare would be available for all people. Period. Because everyone deserves access to the healthcare they need regardless of income or status.
- Banks would spend more time helping families and seniors stay in their homes than kicking them to the curbs and forcing foreclosures. Because banks and businesses would realize that putting people out on the street out of the homes they grew up in and raised their babies in is bad business even if it does improve the bottom line.
- Countries would stop being blind to the changes in the climate that will have serious impact on the lives of our children and their children for years to come. Because the future of our planet is important and and should not be swept under the rug or politely ignored.
- People all around the globe would be tolerant of each other and embrace and encourage differences. Because we are each other's brothers and sisters in this great big world and by helping each other and loving each other we build a stronger societal family for generations to come.
I know this is a simplistic view but to me this would be the presence of justice that best exemplifies Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and dream.
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to everyone. I hope the 2nd Annual Peace Up, Link Up has maybe inspired you to think for a moment about what the presence of justice means for you. And thanks to Mama Brandi for the great Link Up! If you'd like to join the 2nd Annual Peace Up, Link Up head on over to Mama Knows It All today Monday, January 16th and link up! You can share your posts, and read others by following the hashtag #peaceup on twitter. Let's keep Dr. King's dream going by spreading peace!
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Oh wow! This. Is. Justice. Powerful, amazing words...and so true. Thank you for linking up, and giving us all something to think about. Next, we need to hold each other accountable for getting these things done.
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