Little things like this are why I love and admire MLK and, by extension, humans in general. I’d like to suggest to you that the first eight items on this list would make an *excellent* daily substitute for the 10 Commandments. If you’re not natively inclined to be Of the Book, then please consider the possibility that this constitutes an acceptable non-sectarian Watchword (if you wanna strike “pray for guidance and” from Commandment #3, I’ve got no beef with that; it all amounts to the same thing as far as me and my Magic(k)al Sky Faerie are concerned).
Remember: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice—provided that we get up every morning and put our weight towards bending that mutherfucker. It ain’t gonna bend on its own.
The 8 Commandments might read:
- Not all people in power are opposed to Justice. Accept goodwill on the part of many.
- All resources are for the use of all people. Take a vacant seat.
- Pray for guidance and commit yourself to complete non-violence in word and action.
- Demonstrate the calm dignity of our people in your actions.
- In all things observe ordinary rules of courtesy and good behavior.
- Remember that this is not a victory for us alone, but for all humanity. Do not boast! Do not brag!
- Be quiet but friendly; proud, but not arrogant; joyous, but not boisterous.
- Be loving enough to absorb evil and understanding enough to turn an enemy into a friend.
These are our commandments now. Keep them in your hearts, teach them to your children, talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as symbols on your arm. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Hear, and be careful to obey, so that it may go well with us and that we may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of our ancestors, promised us.
Amen
(document via Slate)
And since it’s MLK Day, I can’t go without watching this: