Dr Martin Luther King Jr: Our Lives Begin To End The Day We Become Silent About Things That Matter

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 15 January 2024 "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter," Dr Martin Luther King Jr's famous quote is ever-relevant. By the way, today (Jan 15) is American Gandhi's 95th Birth Anniversary. This quote is always explained in a broader context in Dr King's own words, "Silence is often good, even desirable, but when silence is observed because of fear and apprehension of dire consequences, it becomes silence out of cowardice." Today's Dr Martin Luther King Jr's 95th Birth Anniversary. ----- Extremely calculated and measured silence fosters evil forces to grow and raise their ugly hands. When something is going wrong, turning a Nelson's eye and choosing to remain silent is a sign of timidity and apathy. It's an insult to conscience, provided, one still feels the pricks of conscience because Dr King said, "A conscientious person is never silent." This is the crux of meaningful human existence: Conscience and protest always go hand in hand. Look at today's India and the silence of most of its citizens. Agreed, majority of Indians are foolishly happy that a grand temple is being built as if there's a wedding in everyone's family. But there're people like yours truly and many others who're angry and unhappy but are still silent. When will they speak out and break their vow of silence? Isn't it an impotent anger (Napunsak Aakrosh / Mukhannas Narazagi)? When will sane people come out of their comfort zones of silence and inaction and ruffle a few feathers. In Mahabharata, the erudite Vidur admonished Dhritrashtra when he lost his 100th son: Maunam Na Kriyanti Paritapt Kim Aapraan (When there was time to protest and intervene, you kept quiet). In fact, it was Dhritrashtra, Bhishma and Drona's exasperating silence that paved the way for Kurukshetra, swallowing innumerable lives. Dr King elsewhere said in one of his speeches, "Today's terrified silence will give birth to tomorrow's chaos and that will engulf not only you but all those associated with you." So, speak even if attempts are made to muzzle and muffle your voice, for, your silence will have far-reaching negative ramifications. To quote Allama Iqbal from Baang-e-Dara (The Call of the Marching Bell), "Ye Dastoor-E-Zubaan Bandi Hai Kaisa Teri Mahfil Mein/ Yahan Toh Baat Karne Ko Tarasti Hai Zubaan Meri" (Why does this custom of silencing exist in your court ? My tongue is tantalized to talk in this assembly). Silence is all the more undesirable in these volatile times. Sukoot Se Ab Kuchh Kaam Na Hoga/ Kar Aawaaz Buland Ke Duniya Ko Badalna Hai (Silence will not work any longer/ Raise your voice to change the status quo). ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/silent-matter-martin-luther-jr/d/131518 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism