Day 6: My favorite quote and what it means to me.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,"

- Martin Luther King Jr.

The year is 1963, the African Civil Rights Movement is in its prime.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the biggest activists of this movement.  We all know about his famous "I have a dream..." speech, but to me, that long speech is nothing compared to the few words you see above.  Though this may not be the full quote, it sends the same message that the full quote does, only with fewer words.

This world is dark, and it's only getting darker.  People seem to think that fighting fire with fire will diminish the flame, but that only causes more destruction.  The same thing was going on back in the 60s.  People were causing riots and destroying towns, leaving a trail of bitterness behind them.  Dr. King recognized this and saw that their civil disobedience was getting them nowhere.  This quote says in 20 words what no one else could say with 1000.  Why fight hate with more hate?  Fight hate with love, and you will go far.  This applies to everyone in every situation, past, present, and future.  If there is a problem, fight it with love, not bitterness.  You don't light a room by bringing in more darkness.  You don't extinguish a fire by lighting another flame.  You don't combat hate with an even greater hate.  This quote is very meaningful to me because it reminds me that being bitter and hateful solves nothing.  If there is a problem, you solve it with love and patience.  Just like Jesus did.