By Ashley Herndon
OCEANSIDE, Calif. | Some of us may have heard the rumor that our state, country and many parts of the world are getting more unjust, not less. Ouch. At the same time, some claim we are the most civilized humans in history. Tell that to the Ukrainians and others under fire in Africa, the Middle East and some places close to home.
Herndon
I was taught, first in the family, the neighborhood, the church and throughout school including college, that the major struggle of humanity was the struggle for humanity and justice. This is a universal struggle for equitable treatment of the entirety of the human race, not just those seeking power, wealth, and control of the others.
In order to set the stage properly, my grandmother (1882-1968) taught her five children, me, my siblings and all of my cousins that “the human race did NOT create Itself.” We make our lives through choices not inheritance, racial group or as a byproduct of others.
Some folks say choice is useless since all of existence is predestined. (I am still struggling with that philosophy). Whatever! There is a greater power…creation. There are and or have been 50 billion living creations on this planet, with eight billion currently shaped into some form of humanity. That is a bunch of folks.
We were taught the most effective way to deal with others is to accept their humanity, and as my 6-year-old granddaughter said recently: “Treat all people like you want to be treated.” Sounds easy. So what is the problem with being “just?” The longstanding evils of lust, gluttony, avarice, sloth, anger, envy and pride, (and you can add untruth) say it all.
Then certain philosophies add another list. Grandmother advised three will do:
- Never tell an untruth.
- Always use good manners.
- Give respect to all people. Why? Violence begets violence.
My grandmother also would remind me as a youngster, “Remember Ashley, a gentleman can go anywhere and do anything when following those simple rules whereas a jerk is never welcome anywhere.” She was dead on the money.
Jesus, Gandhi and MLK Jr., all taught and practiced nonviolence. In the 20th Century it has become a science, one recognized as being practiced successfully for ages. It teaches “how to deal with evil without being evil.” It has proven to be as effective as electricity, another, successful scientific experiment. Both these sciences get things done. Some say the energy of non violence is “Soul Force.” If you have not yet done so, a suggested read is, A Force More Powerful by Peter Ackerman and Jack Duvall.
One review of this book says: “This nationally-acclaimed book shows how popular movements used nonviolent action to overthrow dictators, obstruct military invaders and secure human rights in country after country, over the past century. Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall depict how nonviolent sanctions–such as protests, strikes and boycotts–separate brutal regimes from their means of control. They tell inside stories–how Danes outmaneuvered the Nazis, Solidarity defeated Polish communism, and mass action removed a Chilean dictator–and also how nonviolent power is changing the world today, from Burma to Serbia.”
This book beats the QAnon and other violent diatribes bouncing around today. This book will be here after the current violent fakers are long gone.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Follow Us