Bird’s Eye: Like all national heroes, a lot of Martin Luther King has been pushed aside, because it might raise questions about the current national policies. We start with some other things MLK said, look at one of the two winners of this year’s Carnegie Mellon University’s Martin Luther King Day Writing Awards, and link to a powerful 10 minute film about non-violence in the Palestinian fight, and why we never hear about it.
* Ten OTHER Things Martin Luther King Said YouTube (Thanks Kofi!)
* Fighting a Forbidden Battle: How I Stopped Covering Up for a Hidden Wrong. Jesse Lieberfield
“I once belonged to a wonderful religion. I belonged to a religion that allows those of us who believe in it to feel that we are the greatest people in the world—and feel sorry for ourselves at the same time. Once, I thought that I truly belonged in this world of security, self-pity, self-proclaimed intelligence, and perfect moral aesthetic. I thought myself to be somewhat privileged early on. It was soon revealed to me, however, that my fellow believers and I were not part of anything so flattering….I was forever reminded how intelligent my family was, how important it was to remember where we had come from, and to be proud of all the suffering our people had overcome in order to finally achieve their dream in the perfect society of Israel,”
* Julia Bacha: Pay Attention To Nonviolence 10 minute video on TED.com (Thanks Gabe)
In 2003, the Palestinian village of Budrus mounted a 10-month-long nonviolent protest to stop a barrier being built across their olive groves. Did you hear about it? Didn’t think so. Brazilian filmmaker Julia Bacha asks why we only pay attention to violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict — and not to the nonviolent leaders who may one day bring peace.
