Unity and reconciliation

In the last 100 years, non-violent non-cooperation has been the most effective way for lasting change, a change that comes by uniting the masses on philosophies based on truth.

Mahatma Gandhi was a leader and practitioner of a non-violent movement that opposed British imperial rule in India in the early 20th century. Gandhi took the principles of ahimsa (without violence), satyagraha (persistently refuse to submit to the wrong without violence), and mobilized it to the masses which resulted in the foreign rulers leaving the country in 1947.

Dr. King was the most visible leader of the American civil rights movement, who worked tirelessly for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience.

Nelson Mandela's long walk to freedom came after 27+ years in jail. As a leader of the African National Congress, he traveled the country to gain support for non-violent protests against the government's racists laws and apartheid. 

All of these men consistently refused to compromise their political position to obtain their freedom. Despite terrible provocation, they never answered racism with racism or violence with violence. All saw, perhaps clearer than most of their contemporaries that the common ground is greater and more enduring than the differences that divide. Many of their defining moments involved acts of compromise, pragmatism, and reconciliation.

The poet laureates words today were very apt:

There is always light. Only if we are brave enough to see it.

There is always light. Only if we are brave enough to be it.

And so were the 46th president's words:

I ask every American to join me in this cause.

Uniting to fight the common foes we face:

Anger, resentment, hatred.

Extremism, lawlessness, violence.

Disease, joblessness, hopelessness.

With unity, we can do great things. Important things.

We can right wrongs.