Naomi and I were looking for a date for an April Honk for Peace event and decided on April 4th. It was a random date that was selected, worked for her, worked for me. Then, I received an email from Naomi with this bit of historical information.
And here's a little food for thought, 39 years ago on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was killed in Memphis. Forty year ago on April 4, 1967, King said these words:
"Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world. Moreover, when the issues at hand seem as perplexed as they often do in the case of this dreadful conflict [Vietnam War], we are always on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty; but we must move on.
We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace in Vietnam and justice throughout the developing world, a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight."
My daughter was home for spring break this last week from the University of Hawai'i. It was easy to get lost in our family life, cooking out, going to movies, shopping together, having friends over. Those things are important and should be cherished and valued. But I found it so easy to release the responsibility of what I know I need to do to try to change this world for Peace. It is easy to get up and make excuses on why I can't get involved today. But what I realize is that we have to make Peacework part of our daily life, not a hobby or extracurricular event. Studies show that parents who make exercise and physical activities a part of family life, have children that grow up to be healthier and more active than their peers who were not exposed to that kind of family lifestyle. What if we all made working for peace part of our daily family life?
I hope you can find the time to come out and help us at any of our events. Please consider coming to the House Party on April 14th (see event schedule). There is something everyone can do, regardless of how much or little free time they have. Let's all make this part of our daily life. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
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