A good book. Read it!

I'm loving Strength to Love, a collection of MLKingJR sermons. I am always hesitant to actually read what my heroes have written for fear they will have written something misogynistic or insulting to people with disabilities. And then I'll feel sad and disappointed in them. Kind of like Jefferson and racism/slavery. I just have to remember that heroes are human and that no one has truly attained perfect enlightenment in this life. But so far, there has been some "evidence" of MLK's time. For example, he speaks about the then current belief of how people became mentally ill. It's a little Freud, a little behaviorist, and a little pop psychology from back in the day and completely unaware of what we know and are learning about the brain today. So those are some of the negatives in idolizing humans! Obviously he couldn't help it. At least he didn't say it was caused by demon possession in the way those who are completely brainwashed into thinking that the Bible speaks on scientific topics do! :)

The good stuff: He reiterates that change must come from within. Change comes through peace and not force. Change comes through changing YOURSELF first. You set your agenda and then live by your ideals. You do it to the point of death, but you do it realizing that you can't control others. There is a time when you have to stake your claim. Realizing that peaceful change is radical and life threatening (the world tends to execute or imprison those who are postive world changers, in one way or another: King, Lincoln, The apostle Paul, Jesus, Mandela, and so on)

That doesn't mean that I believe there is never a cause for violent response, but I do believe that violent response (like with parenting and spanking) does not provide the change that comes from within. A true heart and mind change. Violence can immediately protect someone's life and can enforce justice but it's not going to perpetuate justice. What does though? That's what I've wondered? Is it religion? I don't think so, as Frederick Douglas writes (I've been reading Slave Narratives, a recommendation from my hubby), many of the cruelest slaveowners were the "pious" ones. And there have been plenty of people who used their faith to perpetuate injustice. Is it education? Is it blending our lives with those who are "Other" so that they aren't "Other" anymore? Is it never going to be found?

Anyway, it's a very inspirational collection, I highly recommend! I find that in different ways but in similar spirit, that today we are still fighting a battle of equality for women and for people with disabilities. We still have separate but equal (and often inferior) in education. I haven't studied any of this. So, if you have a good suggestion on peace studies, equality or social justice studies, gender studies, or disability activism, I'd love to read it. Send it my way, please!

I'm trying a new tactic these days. Instead of being angry and bitter towards society and its exclusion of those with mental disabilities, I'm trying to understand and be optimistic. So that's where all this is coming from. I've been reading all kinds of books on peace, gratitude, relationships, activism, prayer, etc. I may not achieve my goals, but I've learned a lot in the process.