The Arc of the Moral Universe

Posted in storyTagged , ,

“There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

I think it’s notable when you start learning from your kids. I’m talking about facts and figures, that is. I’ve been learning what it’s like to be human from them all along.

Eight-year-old Miss O loves Martin Luther King, Jr.. She’s been coming home with tidbits about him all this past week. “Did you know that Martin Luther King skipped 9th and 12th grade?” she asked.

Or that he was 39 when he died? That he hadn’t actually written the I have a dream speech? It was a response to a question from someone in the crowd.

But one day she came home this week and said, “It’s so sad what happened to him when he marched.”

I prompted, “What do you mean?”

And she continued, “When he marched, they sprayed them with fire hoses. And some people died because they had dogs attack them.”

“Oh,” I affirmed, “that was awful.”

Miss O was about 4 1/2 years old when Black Lives Matter signs appeared in our neighborhood. She asked me what they were about. When I simplistically explained that black people had been treated unfairly by white people, she paused for a moment and said, “I’m glad I’m peach.”

And now almost four years later, she and her classmates marched three miles in 17 degree weather (and believe me, Seattlites are not prepared for 17 degrees) carrying Black Lives Matters sign. Miss O said they got 172 honks.

I’m not wise enough to know what all of this adds up to. But I believe MLK was right all those many years ago when he said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”  

54 thoughts on “The Arc of the Moral Universe”

  1. For those who are old enough to remember those day growing up in a large city it was a very tough time. The summer of 1968 was brutal. One of the things that has troubled me through the years is how people used Dr. King’s name for their own political purpose.

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Just the fact that a class of 8-year olds is learning about discrimination and marching to show their concern is heartening. MLJ Jr’s spirit lives on. We need to have this in schools everywhere, in every western country. ❤️🙏

    Liked by 7 people

  14. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Would that many in our divisive society of amoral injustice would realize the profound wisdom in MLK’s words, and strive for the harmony and peace it yields.
    Would that many still sadly prejudicial in our society would realize the profound wisdom in Miss O’s words, and strive for the harmony and peace respecting and regarding each other as being ‘peachy’ yields.
    Thanks Wynne.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Out of the mouth of babes Wynne. 🍑 Thanks so much for sharing such eye-opening truths that says we have come far, but there is so much further we have to go. Have a FANtabulous day my friend. 😊💖🤗

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Miss O gives me high hopes for the future, ❤️ and your story has me wishing more children went to schools like hers! Love the MLK quote you chose today.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. How wonderful for Miss O to understand so early what MLK’s vision and mission is all about.

    I did not realize he died so young! What an accomplished life he led!

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.