The world as we know it has changed yet again. Over the course of the last few weeks we have witnessed massive organizing and protesting in the streets of Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and across the Middle East/Africa. As we watch the populous convene to collectively voice their discontent with government and other factions, it isn't difficult to see the power of conscientious objection manifesting itself one more time. It is the same message our great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us here in the United States decades ago. In the last few hours, however, there have been clashes with pro-Mubarak forces and demonstrators, also reminiscent of people that disrupted the non-violent marches in the civil rights movement even in my time. The protesters should resist being provoked and not allow their peaceful non-violence protests that have won them worldwide attention and sympathy to be disrupted by provocateurs.
It's no secret that growing up, I extensively studied the teachings of Dr. King and the unprecedented manner in which he countered injustice and inequity with peace and intellectual discourse. Incorporating the ideas of nonviolent opposition carried out by Mahatma Gandhi in India, Dr. King utilized the strength of peaceful protests, sit-ins and assembly that galvanized a nation to acknowledge and rectify some of its iniquitous ways. Dr. King and Gandhi both believed in the right for all peoples to be treated as equal human beings and incorporated in all aspects of society -- including self-governance. After years of autocratic regimes in many countries, it comes as no surprise then that the citizenry are demanding a voice, demanding to be recognized and demanding inclusion. And they are doing it just like the great struggles of the past.
Following 23 years of virtually unchecked rule, Tunisia's President, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, stepped down last month after thousands marched and demanded his ouster. The anti-government demonstrations began in December, and despite small instances of skirmishes, the majority of this vocal opposition centered on peaceful protests. Observing the success in Tunisia, the people of Egypt quickly followed suit with their own mass rallies that even echoed many of the same chants of our own civil rights struggle translated into Arabic. Frustrated with a lack of opportunity and vying for a more democratic form of rule, these mostly young Egyptians organized via Twitter/Facebook, other technology and word-of-mouth. They created banners/signs and marched in the streets emphatically chanting their discontent. And they were successful in bringing the world's attention to some of their greatest grievances.
As President Mubarak appoints a new cabinet and states that he will not run for another term, in the country of Jordan, King Abdullah II has shifted his own administration. Amid rising discontent and demonstrations by the thousands, King Abdullah has called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Samir Rifai, and asked an ex-army general to form a new cabinet. The world has yet to see if the concessions of both Mubarak and Abdullah are enough to satisfy the desires of the people in their respective nations, but one thing is for certain -- real change has come to the entire region on the heels of non-violent protest taught to us by both Dr. King and Gandhi not so long ago.
We are once again witnessing history right before our very eyes, and witnessing the strength and power of nonviolent opposition in bringing about real results. Although tensions may be high in Egypt at the moment, we do not know who or what may be perpetrating the escalation and instability as yet. As we watch this continuously developing situation, we hope and pray that things will remain peaceful in delivering the will of the people in Egypt and the entire region -- just as they did on our very own soil.
Rabbi Arthur Waskow: Revolutionary Egypt: From Red Sea of Old to Tahrir Square Now
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The Egyptians seem to be clearly following the Maclom X philosophy and not the Marttin Luther King one.
King Believed in working within the system. X believed that freedom should come by any means neccisary
Overthroiwing the government seems to be Malcom X move.
Plus the whole muslim thing....
Perhaps more interesting is why Gandhi believed non-violence would topple British rule. He had read the New Testament and Jesus words moved him. He believed that any nation that followed Jesus words could not slaughter innocents, and he was right.
The message of peace passed from Jesus to Gandhi to MLK. Perhaps the message of any religion is best passed by a non-believer. Gandhi didn't believe Jesus was God, neither do I. Doesn't change the message one iota.
btw, i still remember the guest spot he did on boston legal a few years back. gave me chills.