Motley Moose – Archive

Since 2008 – Progress Through Politics

Walking Forward Without Looking Back

“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?” And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

There is an African proverb that says,” When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” I was inspired to write this blog by the quote above by Martin Luther King Jr. I recently read a paper about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder existing in children that have not directly experienced any of the stress. This condition could be felt by and affect the children and the children’s children of those who have been victimized by villains from the past. This condition permeates all demographics.

This type of thinking and teaching is poisoning our children. It must be addressed before our children are infected with an “enemy within.” This enemy will halt any hope of moving forward away from the hatred of the past. This will instill wounds that have the potential to cause our children to limp through life with an excuse of why life is not able to be lived to its fullest.

“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

We as a society must address this quickly with love and words of encouragement. If our children are constantly looking back how is it possible for them to walk forward in life with any direction or purpose? Martin Luther King Jr. said it so well!

“A lie cannot live.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Please join me in doing our part to encourage our children. Our children must learn about the horrors of the past so they will learn from them not be disabled by them.

“The day we see the truth and cease to speak is the day we begin to die”

– Martin Luther King Jr.


Categories: Uncategorized.

/ 143 Comments

143 comments

  2. creamer

    our country stand up and formaly announce our crimes/guilt as it applies to the treatment of Native Americans and Slavery. That apparently leads to a discussion of reparations, wich I think is why white america is reluctant to address the issue. While I’m uncertain how reperations would serve to correct past wrongs, I dont think that you can dismiss the fact that a least some of the “old money” in this country is tainted by slavery.

    I also think its easier to forgive if youv’e been asked to forgive.

  3. Kysen

    Is your greater point here that our nation’s history of slavery, oppression, and ill treatment of all sorts towards African Americans has no bearing on their status in society today? That our history of denying civil rights to an entire race (until VERY recently in the scheme of time) should be treated the same as the Egyptian’s building of the pyramids…in that it should be learned, but, has no real effect on the present day?

    If, indeed, your greater point can be simplified to: “it’s the past, get over it”…then, not only would I have to  disagree wholeheartedly, I’d have to cock an eyebrow at using MLK’s words to ‘support’ such a point.

    While I may or may not agree on PTSD being

    inherent/inherited (would have to read more on it…see studies…but, would need convincing), I absolutely believe that African Americans and Native Americans today still suffer from the lasting affects of the hundreds of years of being treated as ‘less than’ in this country.

    If, however, your greater point is that we need to learn from our history because both our successes and mistakes are far reaching and the effects of the near past are still very much felt today…that we need to acknowledge the bearing that our past has on our present, both positive and negative. That, for example, many of the current trials and struggles faced by African Americans and Native Americans are rooted in the historical mistreatment of them as a people. If that is your greater point….then I agree wholeheartedly.

  4. spacemanspiff

    Your diary has made for great debate.

    Could I get a link for this?

    I recently read a paper about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder existing in children that have not directly experienced any of the stress.

    If it exists it is because parents afflicted will transmit their “bad vibes” to their children making them victims of PTS with a completely different origin. I’m not an expert on matters of the mind but I do have some basic knowledge on psychiatric conditions. So I feel pretty confident in saying it is genetically impossible to pass this on. I see no way of it being inherited. But I see your point of the past affecting the present. Don’t agree with the PTS diagnosis though.

    We are what we learn. We learn what we are taught in earlier stages when we are most easily influenced.

  5. rmarti1

    We are born with two natural fears which fade away in time and they are the fear of loud noises and falling. All other fears are again learned and you are in control of your fears as well as your feelings even if you don’t know you are.

    Robert G. Smith, is one of America’s leading experts on stress, spirituality, and healing. He is a respected leader in the field of personal growth, a popular radio guest and sought after motivational speaker.

Comments are closed.