Peace Is the Only Way
January 16, 2007 at 9:49 am
There comes a time when Silence is Betrayal.
The truth of these words is beyond doubt, but the mission to which they call us is a most difficult one. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their governments policy, especially in a time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against the apathy of conformist thought within ones own bosom.
-Martin Luther King, Silence is Betrayal.
“I Ain’t Going Study War No More”
.1. Martin Luther King - ain’t gonna study war no more
.2. Public Enemy - Pump the Music, Pump the Sound
.3. US3 - Different Rhytms, Different People
.4. Electric Dog House - Generations
.5. Chris’tal - Dis Bonjour A La Dame
.6. Josh Jones Latin Jazz Ensemble - Blues in Havana
.7. Funkcronomicon - Cosmic Slop
.8. 4 Corners - Suavecito
Note: It’s a simple and fun list. I am cramming as many styles as possible while keeping the beat going, saying something but down to earth. I want it to have the feeling of coasting through Brooklyn, the crowd, the sound, the music, the organized chaos. The people. Alive. This is MLK day list. Think peace and spread the words people. We need it bad. -sq
I am not a pacifist like Dr. King was, but respect him as a mass leader, organizers and visionary. I believe that his image has been perverted by the government to try to justify its policies and to demobilize the movements in opposition to war and oppression.
We need more men and women like Dr. King; there is far too much conformist thinking in this period. Why, some have convinced themselves that we are all free, and should sell out to comfort and privilege. Millions of young Black and Brown people are in prison, the government and corporations have systematical and consistently cut back on civil rights, anti-terrorist laws have destroyed most civil liberties and dissent, and there is the highest level of economic inequality of any time in American history. We have been living though 40 years of counter-revolution, racism, and government repression. The unions have been broken, the civil rights movement is out and greying, out of ideas reduced to this ceremony one a year. The struggle of the 60’s are being reversed or perverted for conservative gains in behalf of white supremacy and corporate control.
We must break free of this, or we are all doomed. That is all I have to say.
Lorenzo
Agreed with Lorenzo. Despite I live in a big democratic city (well, the netherlands), racism is still live and kicking even though it now acts in silent ways due to what it is and what is not politically correct. This I consider more dangerous than open racism.
Sorry for my very vague point of view and my bad english.
Lorenzo-
Definitely. There was an effort to suppress all “peace activism’ in the US in all forms. Songs, art works, mass gathering, etc. One obvious way is to give official “alternative” of the said activity.
at fundamental level, not much has changed. Maybe a group of peole are bettr off, etc. But overall. It is still far from peace and justice that should happen.
Marianne -
I think the idea that we have reached some sort of cosmopolitan and tolerant society is highly overblown. Just slightly beneath it all, with minimal amount of propaganda… a lot of people will do nasty and mean things quickly.
but hope springs eternal right?
etc.