Jena, I believe Dr. King was referring to using violence for social action during demonstrations against entrenched authority. I do not believe for a minute he was talking about armed criminals. I believe even Dr. King would have had a different thought about protecting children against armed Klan members.
I often wonder what would have happened if the Jews of Europe had been armed. Would the jack booted cowards have been as willing to kick in the door with a mother behind it with a shotgun protecting her children? I don't think so. A great deal of the atrocities that occur in the world are because strong people do not stand and say "NO". "Not only can you not do this to me and my family, but you may not do it to weaker people in my community either." Of course there will always be prey for predators, but the wolves are slower if one of the wooly beasts that they stalk happens to be a wolf hound from time to time. Not every person can be that wolfhound, but there are enough scattered through our society to protect the weak. If the "Wolfhounds" are ethical enough to not allow the sheep to be eaten. I think citizen patrols armed with cell phones are the preferable technique. A bunch of fools running around with guns scare me as much as criminals. Remember when the James gang got shot up in Northfield in the week that followed more "posse" members were shot by other "posse" members than were criminals. With that being said, I am very glad my wife was willing and brave enough to protect herself and our children. It is part of what makes her brave enough to live where we do, and for her to do the things she does to help others in our community. She is brave enough to care, and smart enough to be willing to fight for what she believes in. There are those who advocate that when women are being raped they should submit and not fight. In my self defense classes I teach women that this is foolish and will only get them hurt even more. Some times it is necessary to call on the force of "Moral Outrage", and fight and hurt your assailant as much as possible. Remember this is a predator who has hurt others, and if you reward him with easy prey he will surely hurt others after you. Much of the evil we see is because someone does not have the courage or "Moral Outrage" to confront it. Our young people should be taught that there is no higher honor than to be a "Dog Soldier" for your people. That when the horror is raging at their people's doorstep, they are willing to stand in it and say, " you may go no further". Jim Graham, Ventura Village - and willing to stand in the door ----- Original Message ----- From: Citizens for a Loring Park Community <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, June 14, 2002 4:27 PM Subject: [Mpls] Violence begets violence > Jim Graham wrote: > > If my son had ran on to a porch near Bloomington Avenue and > was cowering while a gun waving "Gangbanger" agitatedly paced > back and forth, I would feel much better knowing the adult inside > possessed a gun. > > Jana Metge writes back: > > This is from a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Nov. 6, 1956 in > Montgomery, Alabama - > > "As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, > using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. > Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence > in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and > desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an > endless reign of meaningless chaos. > > I think this about says it all. Sorry Jim, I don't agree with you....at > all. > > There has to be a better way. - Jana Metge, Phillips resident; Crime Victim > of house take-over, violation, destruction, and absolute theft 1997. > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
