Hosted by global collaborative community the SINE Network, this thought-provoking event, hosted by Jonathan Granoff of the Global Security Institute, was a highlight of the MLK Weekend of Service and delved into the profound wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The session explored the timeless lessons and powerful directives from Dr. King’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech.
Wars of today impact innocent civilians, especially children, as severely as combatants and, all too often, more severely. This brutal fact makes our hearts cry, “Enough, enough.”
We look for leadership in our major nations. We plead for it. Elections everywhere seem to swing on the whim of passion and prejudice, ignoring the tools of reason and insight to respond to the global existential challenges of our moment.
Political debate, rather than clarifying, descends into the immature cacophony of name-calling.
For this reason, honoring an actual visionary, an effective inspiring leader who not so long ago walked and led amongst us is important.
On Martin Luther King Day focus is often only on the “I Have a Dream” Speech. I have the privilege of speaking in his honor on Sunday, January 14, and intend to highlight his eloquence and guidance upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. At that time, he spoke to the entire world. Such vision is needed now.
Here is an example of his brilliance: “I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of thermonuclear destruction… I believe that even amid today’s mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame and reign supreme amongst the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education, and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”
I have addressed his relationship with Gandhi at a conference at Stanford and conducted a dialogue with his lawyer and close confident Clarence Jones, who contributed significantly to his speeches. But, of far more importance, I join with many of you who remain beholden to his courage and, of the utmost significance, wisdom. Wisdom is timeless, and his words instruct us today with as much force as a few decades ago.
Jonathan Granoff is the President of the Global Security Institute, a representative to United Nations of the World Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates, a former Adjunct Professor of International Law at Widener University School of Law, and Senior Advisor to the Committee on National Security American Bar Association International Law Section.
