One Quote + One Note + One Question January 15, 2024
One Quote
We have lived so long with this idea, of people saying it takes time, and wait on time, that I find it very difficult to adjust to this. I mean, I get annoyed almost when I hear it, although I know it takes time. But the people that use this argument have been people so often who really didn’t want the change to come, and the gradualism for them meant a do-nothingism, you know, and a stand-stillism. So that it has been a revolt I think against the idea of a feeling on the part of some that you can just sit around and wait on time when actually time is neutral. It can be used either constructively or destructively.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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One Note
There’s a lot happening in this quote from an interview with Dr. King from March 1964. What grabs my attention is how the last two sentences bring together the ideas of time being neutral and people using time constructively or destructively.
Surely people can use time in other ways, too. But when within the context of justice and injustice, it makes sense to think about using time constructively or destructively.
I’ve heard about some recent situations with friends where those in power are choosing to not take action against others who are using time destructively to oppress and harm other people. The leaders and bosses and pastors are being passive and hoping everything will just sort of improve with time. But their passivity is destructive. Do-nothingism and stand-stillism are destructive, too.
When those in power refuse to use their power for the common good, for the benefit of those who are oppressed and suffering, they are as much at fault as anyone actively causing harm.
Of course, this is nothing new. People in power have failed to use their power for the flourishing of all people forever. But now I’m thinking more about how waiting and expecting the passage of time to “make things better” is just dumb. The passage of time will only bring justice when those who are inhabiting time choose to be constructive instead of destructive.
Until next time,
Charlotte
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One Question
What does the neutrality of time make you curious about with regard to injustice and justice?
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Charlotte Donlon’s writing and work are always rooted in helping her readers, audience, and clients notice how art and other good things help them belong to themselves, others, the divine, and the world. Charlotte is the founder of Thoughtful Books Etc.™, One O’Clock Central, Spiritual Direction for Writers® , Spiritual Direction for Belonging™, and Parenting with Art™. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Her next book on Spiritual Direction for Writers will be published by Eerdmans in 2025. Charlotte’s essays have appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and a certificate in spiritual direction. To receive Charlotte’s latest updates, news, announcements, and all kinds of good things, subscribe to Thoughtful Readers Etc. + Five Good Things.