Yesterday in front of a crowd of 35,000 people in Denver's Civic Center Park, PeaceJam Co-Founder Dawn Engle gave a keynote address at the Marin Luther King Jr. Marade celebrating the life of the incredible Civil Rights Leader whose legacy lives on today in global efforts for peace, nonviolence, and equality for all.
Read Dawn Engle's Keynote Address Below
Good afternoon one and all - welcome to Denver's annual MLK Marade, which is now in its 25th year. Thank you all for keeping Rev Dr. Martin Luther King's dream alive!
First, let's have a moment of silence to reflect on the situation in Haiti and say a prayer (or think a kind thought) for all those who are suffering.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?"
And I'm sure that when even the coldest heart turns to face Haiti, that question comes to mind. As I speak, countless thousands of people and millions of dollars are winging their way to that devastated country. But as we can plainly see, money is not enough to solve the problem. It also takes warm compassionate human spirit, not to mention a boatload of moxie and hustle. Money can address some problems, but truly, it is not a cure-all. It is through human concern and tenacity, over time, that problems are really solved.
We stand here today in honor of Dr. King but our hearts and minds are in Haiti. Some of us feel so helpless - as helpless as we feel on a day-to-day basis when confronting issues in our own cities, schools and homes.
I'm originally from Detroit, Michigan - another place in the world besieged by problems. Back in the day, in Detroit, there was a musical outfit called the MC5, and on their first album they asked "Are you going to be part of the problem or part of the solution?"
Whether you like it or not, we all fall into one of those categories - the problem or the solution. And this is what, I believe, Dr. King was thinking about when he asked "What are you doing for others?"
Your religious ideology, your skin color and your choice of politics and politicians are not the problem. It is high time we celebrate our commonality and when we need to discuss our differences, let's discuss them with a generosity of spirit - even if we have to agree to disagree. Whether or not we like it, we are all in this together.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu often says that human beings are not automatons, we are beings of free will.
Archbishop Tutu - a Nobel Peace Laureate just like the good Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King - encourages all acts benefiting the betterment of mankind. He would say -- it is through your ACTIONS that problems are solved. We ALL have problems, but WE can also be the solution to thos problems.
The ideas and actions of leading Nobel Peace Laureates, coupled with the question "Are you going to be part of the problem or part of the solution", were the keystones in the genesis of PeaceJam. Dr. King's philosophy and actions are at the very foundation of PeaceJam. We are teaching millions of young people around the world his message of nonviolence, and action for social justice, and human rights for each and every one of us. His vision is teaching a whole new generation of young people how to take concrete action to alleviate the suffering of others.
PeaceJam keeps the good Reverend King's dream alive by encouraging young people to study the lives of Nobel Peace Laureates - who come from all walks of life, religions and cultures - and to learn about their country's struggles and how they solved problems. A smart person learns from their own mistakes... but a wise person learns from others. And this is exactly what young people do when they participate in PeaceJam.
Since March of 1996, PeaceJam has reached out to hundreds of thousands of young people globally. These brave young people examine problems in their own communities, devise a plan of action, then in a forthright and honest manner go into action to help solve these vexing problems. To date, hundreds of thousands of postive, life-affirming community service projects have been completed by PeaceJammers across the country and around the world. These young people have become Part of the Solution.
Unlike many governments and corporations, MOST young people have no money. Yet we are talking here about YOUNG PEOPLE solving societal ills. How is that possible?
It is through their moxie and hustle, their belief in a better life for all, their can-do attitudes that we all benefit. By looking after our neighbors, we are looking after ourselves. The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Now, this is by no means a lofty, unobtainable objective. What does it really take for a person to be kind? Not much. What does it really take to make a difference?
For many of us, it just takes a blast of inspiration, and someone else to show the way. And Martin Luther King continues to play that role, for so very many people around the world.
Years ago, he inspired a young preacher in South Africa to stand up, and to use the tools of non-violence to lead his people out of apartheid -- he inspired Desmond Tutu to lead his people as they reclaimed their country, and created the 'miracle' of South Africa.
Martin Luther King inspired two young women in Northern Ireland, Betty Williams and Mairead Maguire, to begin peaceful marches to unite Protestants and Catholics in their war-torn country -- he inspired them to lead the people of Northern Ireland into a new future where the cycle of violence and revenge is now, finally, being broken, after hundreds of years of strife.
He inspired a young artist in Argentina, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, to use the moral authority of the spoken word to tell the world about the desaparicidos, the disappeared ones, throughout Latin America -- he inspired average, every day people to stand up to the cruel military dictatorships and successfully demand the restoration of their basic human rights.
Martin Luther King inspired every single one of the 12 Nobel Peace Laureates on the board of the PeaceJam Foundation today... and now all of these stories and teachings and lessons are being passed on to a brave new generation.
And that is what gives me such great, unwavering hope. In the face of incredible sadness, I remember what average, working class people have been able to achieve -- when they are inspired.
In the face of outrageous injustice, I remember what impoverished and oppressed people have been able to achieve -- when they are united.
In the face of so much violence and suffering, I remember what so many people, young and old and every color of the rainbow, have been able to accomplish -- when they walk the path of nonviolence.
Nonviolence is the weapon of the strong. Dr. Martin Luther King taught us that. Today we celebrate his memory in this glorious 25th Anniversary Marade. Tomorrow, let us return to our homes, each and every one of us, and put his teachings into action. Together, we can transform the world. With our creator's help, oh yes we can.
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