Thoughts on MLK Jr. Day
To the editor:
Prospero, the wise but exiled Duke of Milan, is the central figure of Shakespeare’s late masterpiece, “The Tempest.” For 12 years he dominates and controls man and nature on the island where he shipwrecked through enchantment and wizardry. At the end however he tires of this, and renounces his powers declaring he will break his magical staff and drown his books. As the events of the play conclude, he says he will return to his beloved home in Milan “Where every third thought shall be my grave.”
As many of us reach advanced age, consideration of our mortality becomes a more pressing concern than in our younger days and Prospero’s words and action ring true. What is left unsaid by Prospero however is what thoughts will occupy the other two-thirds for him and for us. We can muse on our diminishing strength, power and influence and despair of a world that seems to be disintegrating on so many fronts. Adverse climate change, internal and national strife, intolerance, a widening gulf between rich and poor, sickness and starvation all confront us.
I suggest however that throwing up our hands and thinking nothing can be done damages us and isn’t true. We can all make the world better. Through prayer and meditation we can see a path forward. At the least we can be kind and caring, be grateful for what we are given, forgive the weaknesses of others and ask pardon of those we have harmed. We can speak out against injustice and not succumb to intimidation. We can live our lives in a way that others will respect. We can make sure that the children of our families and neighbors have educational opportunities and a safe home. We can demand that children are not subjected to violence. We can empathize with those who are less fortunate and not turn a blind eye to their needs. If we have the means we should generously support the causes we most value.
We must take to heart the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice” and further “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” We will never accomplish all that is needed to perfect ourselves or the world but we must never stop doing what is in our grasp. We ask God’s blessing on us, on our endeavors, our nation, the State of Israel and on all God’s creation. Amen.
Donald Bachman
Sanibel