B is for Believe
Yesterday, here in the United States of America, we remembered Martin Luther King Jr., the American Baptist minister who lead the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950's and 60's. Influenced by Mohandas Gandhi's non-violent manner, his involvement in the civil protests began in 1955, with the Bus Boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, and continued until the day he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. Other than helping the end of segregation in buses, King pursued the end of segregation in public schools, the protection from police abuse, the acquisition of laws to prevent discrimination in employment, and the protection of voting rights for minorities. The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, which led to him receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The following is a quote from his acceptance speech:
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"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."
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His words are as relevant today as they were back then. Although we have come a long way in this country, lately I believe we may be regressing. There is just so much division, misunderstanding, and senseless violence going on by all factions in our country.
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There's a plethora of reasons for our problems, but one of them is our deteriorating communication. With all the forms of communication available, we should be doing better. However, news outlets and social media are actually aggravating the situation.
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I value freedom of speech, but we need to be responsible when exercising this freedom. This is of utmost importance to the news media, from liberal to conservative, who are sometimes responsible for the spread of propaganda. Social Media aggravates the situation, because some people on both sides spread it, along with hateful commentaries.
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In my humble opinion I believe we need to scrutinize everything we read, as well as consider multiple sources of information. We need to consider multiple perspectives, and be aware that we can't believe everything that's out there. I also believe that we need to be careful with our words and practice the Golden Rule, as found in Matthew 7:12, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If you don't agree with a political or other point of view, discuss it if appropriate, but don't use derogatory terms. The latter is hurtful to others and propagates further division. So yes, I believe in Martin Luther King's words, but it's going to take a conscious effort on our part to make it happen. Peace!
Lots of wonderful art again. MLK was a great man, the world could do with people like him now. Thanks for joining us at TIOT and AJJ, Valerie
ReplyDeleteOh - wonderful art here again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your lovely tag with us at Try it on Tuesdays and your super Birthday celebrating page with Art Journal Journey.
Have a blessed week!
Susi
Oh Arnoldo! I do love your art but it is almost always your words that I ponder on! In the UK we seem to have lost all the common courtesies. People barge past each other to get someplace first, not many folk hold doors open - or thank you for opening a door for them! Young men sit on buses/trams and don't give up seats for women or elderly people. I suppose as long as there are still some folk around to set the example we shouldn't give up hope....Thank you for joining us at Try It On Tuesday! Chrisx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection of art today. I love the hand carved stamp. I've done a tiny bit of stamp carving but one day will try more. Thanks for joining it at AJJ. I love your story journal page. :) Its nice to see the people who mean so much to your life. Erika
ReplyDeleteAmen to this blogpost and amen to you too!
ReplyDeleteI could not have said it better!
Have a nice ABC-Wednesday / _ Week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc=w=team)
http://melodymusic.nl/abc-wednesday-20b/
Such lovely creations and a fantastic blog post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge X
Always lovely different project to share with us .
ReplyDeleteHappy woyww Jill #24
Lovely creation ~ carved stamp and rooster ~ well done for B ~ Believe!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy Week ahead ~ ^_^
Happy WOYWW! Blessings to you. Sez x #42
ReplyDeleteGreat workspace. TFS xx Jan 52
ReplyDeleteI love your hand-carved rooster stamp!! And I do agree with what you are saying. Thanks for sharing, Lindart #47
ReplyDeleteLoving your roosters... Chinese new year is next Saturday... can't wait to celebrate with friends at a party (well it is for a friend's birthday really)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week x
Erika (#6)
What a wonderful post. I enjoyed your words as well as your art. Have a wonderful week. Dorlene #48
ReplyDelete"I believe we need to scrutinize everything we read, as well as consider multiple sources of information. We need to consider multiple perspectives, and be aware that we can't believe everything that's out there." I couldn't agree more, Arnoldo! I think the media and the people behind them behave in a very irresponsible way. We have to try and draw intelligent conclusions from all the information presented to us and take everything with a pinch of salt. It's so easy to brainwash people with bad propaganda on both sides of an issue and turn them against each other. I believe the world would be a better place if everyone was an artist! Lovely makes this week! That hand carved stamp is so detailed and intricate! Thanks so much for visiting earlier! Have a lovely week! zsuzsa #14
ReplyDeleteGreat art work Arnoldo. I loved reading your post and to a certain extent I agree with Chris's comments but I will not give up trying to encourage others to be thoughtful towards one another, we have to lead by example, it's the only way. America has always surprised me with their attitude towards different races though I'm not sure the UK is much different. If we look back in history very few of us would have been true natives of the country so what gives us the right to discriminate. We are all human when all said and done. Have a great week my friend and keep smiling. Angela x
ReplyDeleteLovely art work, Arnoldo, and I particularly like that tag. Very stylish. Of course we should all work towards peace wherever we can, and observe the common coutesies, and think before we speak, etc. etc. but ultimately there will be no true, universal peace on earth until the Prince of Peace, Jesus, reigns from Jerusalem.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and I'm glad you enjoyed my current efforts!
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #40
I found your post very interesting as a concerned observer of what will happen on the 20th. I loved your picture. Tracy #12
ReplyDeleteWonderful artworks which speak to our hearts also your so true words.
ReplyDeleteI think we all must become a little bit like MLK and change our world step by step and never give up doing this.
Blessings
Sabine
Stunning tag
ReplyDeleteand what a great stamp!
I agree, Arnoldo. We need to make an effort at being conscientious about how we convey our message in print. Having a leader who has no brakes on what he says is simply going to make it harder not to slip down to the same level.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful interesting post with so much inspirational art. Thank you for joining us over at TioT's.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Huh, I quoted from that speech this week too, not for abcw, but on Sunday
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Lots of great makes. Happy PPF
ReplyDeleteI am impressed of the successful works.
ReplyDeleteYou have really creative ideas
this is my
contribution
So many lovely projects Arnoldo. And of course, your words are always inspiring too. Love your hand carved rooster and tag! And every time I see a page from your Smash book I think I should begin using the one I have too:) Happy PPF and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful page for PPF and SS! Wonderful tribute to Martin Luther King!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully thoughtful post, and I LOVE your rooster stamp!
ReplyDeleteLovely art as always with words of wisdom. It is pretty volatile on social media and I find that a lot of people are so heated that calm discussion cannot happen. It is truly a brave new world and we will have to see where it takes us. For me I refuse to argue, will only send out love and peace and hope that my little bit of light touches a few people. Like yours does.
ReplyDeleteGreat projects and I agree you about freedom of speech. Good luck to you with bike exercise!
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF ♥
Inspiring work and post!! :)
ReplyDeleteProlific and beautiful art. MLK was a great man and the world needs many more like him. (BTW, I noticed that you spelled Gandhi correctly. Not surprising since you are a teacher. It is disappointing when people quite him and then spell his name Ghandi.)
ReplyDeleteLove your rooster stamp and all the artwork contributed this week! Although not raised in a religious home "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." was the golden rule we lived by. Well said! Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!! Children learn what they live let's all be good examples!! You are!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
Lovely art and wise words Arnoldo! The world is so much in want of tolerance. The great names you mention were all living examples of that tolerance that we lack today.
ReplyDeleteHI Arnoldo, sorry for the late visit, only just catching up!! Beautiful artworks as always - I especially lovel the hand-carved rooster stamp and that brilliant b/w photograph. Thanks for sharing the MLK quote, it's very inspiring, what a great man. Have a wonderful weekend :o) Annie C #53
ReplyDeleteAgain, I thank you for your thought provoking post. The times are volatile and divisive. I agree with you that when and if getting into a conversation, it is important to choose words that express but are not degrading. I find it essential to communicate from the hear. Your art is lovely as are your words.
ReplyDelete~~ Irene
Beautiful art and words today, Arnoldo. Your rooster stamp is super. The discord, the bitterness, the anger, the violence - it has to stop or our country will fall from within. I agree that a lot of stirred up emotions come from the media, much of it written to sell papers. I also think a lot comes from the dissolution of the 2 parent families, where mom and dad presented a solid front and led by example. Today I saw a video of a 10 year old boy who had set fires in the streets of DC. When asked why, he just said he wanted to do it and s---w Trump! What kind of home did he come from that that was considered proper? I guess we can only "brighten the corner where you are" as the children's song goes.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic stamp. I am so impressed by your carving. Afraid I'd be missing at least part of a finger if I tried it.
ReplyDeleteI went to a local Women's March yesterday, and it was such an uplifting experience, and gave me hope that we can turn things around.
Such wonderful pieces of art in this wonderful, thought provoking blog post! Thank you so much for sharing and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge... :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful words of wisdom here, both from you and from Martin Luther King. So appreciated! Also loved that old bike. Hope you might get out on it when the weather permits.
ReplyDeleteDear Arnoldo, today I share the words from pearshapedcrafting as her English is much better than mine and expresses exactly my own thinking. Additional I think it's not only important to have people like MLK but also people like you who remind us of what is important to re-consider day by day in our everyday life. And so I even more love it to see your great artwork that illustrates your words in such a wonderful way!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Love and tolerance are so important. I love your rooster too! Thanks for such wonderful thoughts...
ReplyDeleteI agree with your very wise words. We need to get information from as many sources as possible and not enter into arguments with our friends who have a differing opinion. Your were very prolific this week with all the art pieces you finished. I like the "sunny" thinking of you card-it makes me feel good.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely artwork...the book was my favorite
ReplyDeleteThere is a "Letter Writing Challenge" starting from January 30th. It would be amazing if you could participate in it.
Here is the link for it http://mrsdashsayss.blogspot.in/2017/01/12-weeks-of-letter-writing-challenge.html
Curiosas imágenes..un saludo desde Murcia..y feliz año....
ReplyDeleteThere is a "Letter Writing Challenge" from the 30th of January. It would be amazing if you could participate in it.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link for the challenge
http://mrsdashsayss.blogspot.in/2017/01/12-weeks-of-letter-writing-challenge_24.html
Found your blog at Mrs Dash Letter Writing Challenge.
ReplyDeleteTruer words could not be spoken.
Thank you for sharing the above.
- Lisa
As another person stated, I couldn't have said it better myself! Indeed we need to seek out the truth and not accept everything we hear as truth. I am so very tired of all the hate and bitterness that's being posted on social media. Yes, I am very disappointed in the outcome of the election, but I know God will have His way in the end. Thank you for another wonderful post!
ReplyDelete