You may not know this, but Bob Dylan was unknown until Joan Baez helped launch his career. She covered his songs and brought him on stage with her, as she was already well established in the folk music world. She is 85 and performed at a No Kings protest last summer. Nonviolent activism and music have intertwined to be her life’s work; she was arrested alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dorothy Day, among others. If you would like to read more about Joan Baez and the work of nonviolent activism, please see this excellent interview by Reverend John Dear. If you prefer audio learning, find their conversation on Reverend Dear’s podcast series.
It hurts us, to witness what is happening in Minnesota and across our country. It hurts to feel powerless. We are all limited in time, money, and influence, right? In this moment it is vitally important to consider our own sphere of impact. When we feel overwhelmed, we have the choice to lean into our fear or to pursue curiosity and creativity even as the fear persists alongside.
We ask ourselves, “What can I do in this time of grief?” We can connect with our communities, our neighbors, our congregations. We can make space for our feelings in safe spaces. We can join vigils and nonviolent demonstrations. We can join civic groups that advocate for values we hold dear. We can pray and cry and sing and make art. We can hold fast to the knowledge that we are not alone.
As we approach our national holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we maintain one thing we will NOT do is dishonor his commitment to nonviolent resistance. “The nonviolent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage they did not know they had.” To learn more about Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence visit The King Center or start a book club with your friends or congregations discussing one of Dr. King’s books.
A few Martin Luther King, Jr. events hosted by our own CALS
