MLK Day 2013

"Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children." 

It was the first half of the twentieth century. Another great, historical American orator arrived on planet earth, with a Google search zeroing in to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929. During his short lifetime he stamped his identity as a Baptist minister, a Nobel peace prize winner, an American leader and a civil rights activist, and served for American progressivism as a declamatory and a vehement voice of civil rights; employing the strategies of nonviolent civil disobedience. As the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and as a leader of many campaigns, this “True leader” tried to pave the way for an American society, free of racial segregation and full of civil rights. He is Martin Luther King, Jr. 

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

His world renown speech “I have a dream” which he delivered in 1963 at Washington is a paradigm of world of civil rights. The speech titled "Beyond Vietnam" in 1967 is another milestone of the life of this unyielding patriot. I have outlined a few quotes from his speeches and some of his interesting statements. 

"The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live"

It’s MLK day. Let’s join hands and come together. Let us give a try to refrain from posting and spreading hatred, abhorrence and harsh criticism against different races, religions and ethnic groups, in "Public and Social media", at least for today...

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

MLK was assassinated on 4th of April, 1968, in Tennessee and it followed many remonstrances in cities of the US.

"A lie cannot live" and that is why his boundless legacy of excellence and his invaluable, radical thoughts are still living with us. 
Happy civil rights day! (21.01.2013)

Is MLK day exclusively for Americans? “To be or not to be, that is the question”. So pondered Hamlet; so as we... Today, MLK day is no longer for the citizens of the US, but for Sri Lankans.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?’

Rabbit and the fox

Once upon a time a rabbit was happily bathing and swimming in a river which streamed down, whilst a fox was drinking water higher up in the same water stream.  Rabbit didn't care about the fox as it had a lot of good friends around. This rabbit was a very friendly chap and didn't bother any of its friends, such as beaver, crane, frog, deer and hamster. 

All of a sudden the fox that was drinking water in the upstream appeared in front of the rabbit and called it to the river bank. Everyone got astonished by this strange invitation, but according to the “JUNGLE LAW” the rabbit could not afford to reject fox’s KIND but CUNNING invitation, as it was a complaint.

However, “ALMOST ALL” of its friends surrounded the rabbit, but kept at arm's length, may be foreseeing the imminent catastrophe. 

Fox cleared its throat and stepped near the rabbit and the helpless creature stepped backwards, innocently. Then the FOX started listing out its complaints. “You are spoiling my drinking water by bathing and pissing”, the fox claimed. Then, the rabbit very innocently stammered “Master, its true... I was bathing but I was doing everything down the stream. How come I spoil your drinking water sir? You were drinking water from the same river, but higher up in the water-stream”.

The cunning and wicked fox exclaimed “You have made the mistake and now you are trying to justify it... Rabbit, you are going to get on my nerves.”

In this particular jungle they had a very solid “JUNGLE LAW” if a carnivore is to hunt; it was supposed to give an acceptable justification, beforehand. But unfortunately the authority of law was dead by then, or in other words; the lion king was no longer with them.

So, the fox once again read out his allegation against the rabbit which was written on an oak leaf by its crew (may be henchmen). Then the fox jumped on the rabbit and ate it.  

Then, the friends of the rabbit dispersed at once with the fear of being killed by the beasts of prey. Finally they decided to leave their own jungle either.

Dear friends, hope you can imagine the fate of the fierce, menace, power minded, and barbaric meat-eaters. Without food, how can they live?

This is an “OLD” story that I have heard when I was a kid. But, the body of the story resembles very recent and familiar incidents for me. The outcome and the motive of the story, may be telling the “tomorrow” of a country even lacking a JUNGLE LAW.

Hope you can relate the role of the fox, rabbit and its friends; now and then.

Today, we all are “RABBITS” (You may take it in any sense).  Be vigilant.