KING & JANE ADDAMS * GANDHI & MLK * Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol. 13, No. 2 * Jan. 10, 2012
MARTIN LUTHER KING
AND JANE ADDAMS
Martin Luther King and Jane Addams have a lot in common. Both were tireless workers for social justice. Both pointed out the connections between poverty and racism in American society. Both received a Nobel Prize. Both were influenced by Mohandas Gandhi.
But social justice was only one half of their message. Both King and Addams were also advocates of peace. That led them to become outspoken opponents of many aspects of US foreign policy. Addams opposed the Spanish-American War and World War I; King opposed US involvement in Vietnam. They also tied the lack of social justice in our communities to the lack of peace in the world.
Both King and Addams were subjected to widespread criticism for these views. Both were told they were out of their element when discussing foreign affairs. Also, both were called communists and traitors -- and harassed by the FBI.
In so many history books this other dimension isn't mentioned. Addams has been reduced to a nice lady who did a few good things. King becomes a nice guy who promoted human kindness.
But both of them were far, far more. They were powerful voices calling us to live up to our democratic ideals. One might say that they were 20th century prophets. The trouble with prophets, of course, is that they make us uncomfortable. They're hard to listen to. And they're always pointing out things we'd rather not think about.
King's birthday this week gives us a chance to remember his entire message -- and that of Addams, too. They were trying to tell us that social justice and peace are inextricably linked. It's a message we're still trying to learn, in our families, our communities and our country. This holiday offers a chance to rededicate ourselves to this "social work."
That's what I like best about the Martin Luther King holiday: the emphasis on community and on the common good. That makes it unique among American holidays.
If one thinks about the other holidays, the emphasis is on turning inward, to families and friends. In may ways, that's easier to do. It is much harder to reach beyond the regular ties we have -- to reach across lines of race, religion and ethnicity -- and establish new friendships, new connections.The MLK holiday gives us an opportunity -- an "excuse" if you will -- to start doing that.
WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE
INTERESTED IN THESE..
...1 to 4 pm is the new time for the chess club at Uptown Bill's.
...Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at noon each weekday at the coffee house.
...Trying to quit smoking? Join a new support group which meets Tuesdays at 6 pm.
...Like puzzles? Stop in and work on the 1,000 piece puzzle at the coffee house. You'll find it in our community meeting room.
...Yes, we have wireless Internet.
...Interested in learning more about songwriting? Chris Bell will offer a workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 7. More details soon.
TREE WILL
STAY UP
We're keeping the holiday tree -- at least through May. In February it will be a Valentine tree; in March a St. Patrick's Day tree. Then in April it will be an Easter and Passover tree. We'll make decorations during Artvaark (our Thursday Art Night). You're welcome to add your own decorations which fit the theme of each month.
COMING EVENTS AT
THE COFFEE HOUSE
Thursday, Jan. 12, 7 pm Elvis Presley Birthday Open Mic (You're invited to present a song or spoken word performance of an Elvis tune).
MARTIN LUTHER KING'S
JOURNEY TO NONVIOLENCE
Editor's note: For Martin Luther King's birthday, Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter
offers an excerpt from an essay by King on the development of his theory of
nonviolence.
One Sunday afternoon I traveled to Philadelphia to hear a sermon by D. Mordecai
Johnson, president of Howard University. He was there to preach for the
Fellowship House of Philadelphia. Dr. Johnson had just returned from a trip to
India, and, to my great interest, he spoke of the life and teachings of Mahatma
Gandhi. His message was so profound and electrifying that I left the meeting
and bought half a dozen books on Gandhi's life and works.
Like most people, I had heard of Gandhi, but I had never studied him seriously.
As I read I became deeply fascinated by his campaigns of nonviolent resistance.
I was particularly moved by the Salt March to the Sea and his numerous fasts.
The whole concept of "Satyagraha" (Satya is truth which equals love, and agraha
is force; "Satyagraha" therefore, means truth-force or love force) was
profoundly significant to me. As I delved deeper into the philosophy of Gandhi
my skepticism concerning the power of love gradually diminished, and I came to
see for the first time its potency in the area of social reform.
Prior to reading Gandhi, I had about concluded that the ethics of Jesus were
only effective in individual relationship. The "turn the other cheek"
philosophy and "love your enemies" philosophy were only valid, I felt, when
individuals were in conflict with other individuals; when racial groups and
nations were in conflict a more realistic approach seemed necessary. But after
reading Gandhi, I saw how utterly mistaken I was,
Gandhi was probably the first person in history to lift the love ethic of Jesus
above mere interaction between individuals to a powerful and effective social
force on a large scale. Love for Gandhi was a potent instrument for social and
collective transformation.
It was in this Gandhian emphasis on love and nonviolence that I discovered the
method for social reform that I had been seeking. The intellectual and moral
satisfaction that I failed to gain from the utilitarianism of Bentham and Mill,
the revolutionary methods of Marx and Lenin, the social-contracts theory of
Hobbes, the "back to nature" optimism of Rousseau, and the superman philosophy
of Nietzsche, I found in the nonviolent philosophy of Gandhi. I came to feel
that this was the only morally and practically sound method open to oppressed
people in their struggle for freedom...
When I went to Montgomery as a pastor, I had not the slightest idea that I
would later become involved in a crisis in which nonviolent resistance would be
applicable. I neither started the protest [Montgomery bus boycott] nor
suggested it. I simply responded to the call of the people for a spokesman.
When
the protest began, my mind, consciously or unconsciously, was driven back to
the Sermon on the Mount, with its sublime teachings on love, and the Gandhian
method of nonviolent resistance.
As the days unfolded I came to see the power of nonviolence more and more.
Living through the actual experiences of the protest, nonviolence became more
than a method to which I gave intellectual assent; it became a commitment to a
way of life. Many of the things I had not cleared up intellectually concerning
nonviolence were now solved in the sphere of practical action.
OTHER PEACEMAKERS CELEBRATE
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK, TOO
Martin Luther King's actual birthday is Jan. 15. (The King holiday is
celebrated on the Monday nearest that date.) Here are some other peacemakers
who have birthdays during the same week:
+ Rigoberto Menchu Tum (Jan. 9): Mayan human rights activist who received the
Nobel Peace prize in 1992.
+ Joan Baez (Jan. 9): Folksinger and activist
+ James Farmer (Jan. 12): A founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
whose civil rights work followed Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence.
SLOGANS FROM
COFFEESHOPS
Small town comfort in a cup -- Yeti's Grind, Eagle, CO
Red, white and brew -- javawear.com
A perk you deserve -- Dark Canyon Coffee Co, Rapid City, SD
Peace and latte to all men -- Costa Coffee, London, England
Don't settle for the average Joe -- Denver City Search
Life is too short for bad coffee -- Kaladi's, Sioux Falls, SD
Make sure you have beans at home (in case you get snowed in) -- Black
Sheep, Sioux Falls
Share your favorite coffeeshop slogans in the Bill's Coffeeshop
Newsletter. Send them to tomgilsenan@gmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Martin Luther King and Jane Addams have a lot in common. Both were tireless workers for social justice. Both pointed out the connections between poverty and racism in American society. Both received a Nobel Prize. Both were influenced by Mohandas Gandhi.
But social justice was only one half of their message. Both King and Addams were also advocates of peace. That led them to become outspoken opponents of many aspects of US foreign policy. Addams opposed the Spanish-American War and World War I; King opposed US involvement in Vietnam. They also tied the lack of social justice in our communities to the lack of peace in the world.
Both King and Addams were subjected to widespread criticism for these views. Both were told they were out of their element when discussing foreign affairs. Also, both were called communists and traitors -- and harassed by the FBI.
In so many history books this other dimension isn't mentioned. Addams has been reduced to a nice lady who did a few good things. King becomes a nice guy who promoted human kindness.
But both of them were far, far more. They were powerful voices calling us to live up to our democratic ideals. One might say that they were 20th century prophets. The trouble with prophets, of course, is that they make us uncomfortable. They're hard to listen to. And they're always pointing out things we'd rather not think about.
King's birthday this week gives us a chance to remember his entire message -- and that of Addams, too. They were trying to tell us that social justice and peace are inextricably linked. It's a message we're still trying to learn, in our families, our communities and our country. This holiday offers a chance to rededicate ourselves to this "social work."
That's what I like best about the Martin Luther King holiday: the emphasis on community and on the common good. That makes it unique among American holidays.
If one thinks about the other holidays, the emphasis is on turning inward, to families and friends. In may ways, that's easier to do. It is much harder to reach beyond the regular ties we have -- to reach across lines of race, religion and ethnicity -- and establish new friendships, new connections.The MLK holiday gives us an opportunity -- an "excuse" if you will -- to start doing that.
WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE
INTERESTED IN THESE..
...1 to 4 pm is the new time for the chess club at Uptown Bill's.
...Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at noon each weekday at the coffee house.
...Trying to quit smoking? Join a new support group which meets Tuesdays at 6 pm.
...Like puzzles? Stop in and work on the 1,000 piece puzzle at the coffee house. You'll find it in our community meeting room.
...Yes, we have wireless Internet.
...Interested in learning more about songwriting? Chris Bell will offer a workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 7. More details soon.
TREE WILL
STAY UP
We're keeping the holiday tree -- at least through May. In February it will be a Valentine tree; in March a St. Patrick's Day tree. Then in April it will be an Easter and Passover tree. We'll make decorations during Artvaark (our Thursday Art Night). You're welcome to add your own decorations which fit the theme of each month.
COMING EVENTS AT
THE COFFEE HOUSE
Thursday, Jan. 12, 7 pm Elvis Presley Birthday Open Mic (You're invited to present a song or spoken word performance of an Elvis tune).
Saturday, Jan. 14, 7 pm. Saturday Night Music with Adam Weinstein and friends.
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6 pm. Readers & Writers Group. 7 pm. Spoken Word
Thursday, Jan. 19, 6 pm. Artvaark (Art Night). 7 pm Open Mic 8 pm. Music with Bethann Gavin
Friday, Jan. 20, 1-4 pm Chess Club. 5 pm. Friday Night Jazz
Saturday, Jan. 21, 7 pm. Saturday Night Music with No Coast
Tuesday, Jan 24, 6 pm. Live broadcast of Tom's Guitar Show
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7 pm Spoken Word (Readers & Writers Group meets at 6 pm)
Thursday, Jan. 26, 6 pm Artvaark (Art Night). 7 pm. Open Mic.
Friday, Jan. 27, 1-4 pm Chess Club. 5 pm. Music with Andy Juhl and the Blue Stem Players.
Saturday, Jan. 28, 7 pm. Saturday Night Music with Jeffrey Capps
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 7 pm. Reading/Book signing with Joe Michaud
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7 pm Spoken Word (Readers & Writers Group meets at 6 pm).
Thursday, Feb. 2, 6 pm Artvaark (Art Night). 7 pm Open Mic.
Friday, Feb. 3, 1-4 pm Chess Club. 5 pm Friday Night Jazz
Saturday, Feb. 4, 4:30 pm. Irish Sessions. 7 pm. Saturday Night Music: Laura Ingalls Wilder Birthday Party with Marc and Brandi Janssen
MARTIN LUTHER KING'S
JOURNEY TO NONVIOLENCE
Editor's note: For Martin Luther King's birthday, Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter
offers an excerpt from an essay by King on the development of his theory of
nonviolence.
One Sunday afternoon I traveled to Philadelphia to hear a sermon by D. Mordecai
Johnson, president of Howard University. He was there to preach for the
Fellowship House of Philadelphia. Dr. Johnson had just returned from a trip to
India, and, to my great interest, he spoke of the life and teachings of Mahatma
Gandhi. His message was so profound and electrifying that I left the meeting
and bought half a dozen books on Gandhi's life and works.
Like most people, I had heard of Gandhi, but I had never studied him seriously.
As I read I became deeply fascinated by his campaigns of nonviolent resistance.
I was particularly moved by the Salt March to the Sea and his numerous fasts.
The whole concept of "Satyagraha" (Satya is truth which equals love, and agraha
is force; "Satyagraha" therefore, means truth-force or love force) was
profoundly significant to me. As I delved deeper into the philosophy of Gandhi
my skepticism concerning the power of love gradually diminished, and I came to
see for the first time its potency in the area of social reform.
Prior to reading Gandhi, I had about concluded that the ethics of Jesus were
only effective in individual relationship. The "turn the other cheek"
philosophy and "love your enemies" philosophy were only valid, I felt, when
individuals were in conflict with other individuals; when racial groups and
nations were in conflict a more realistic approach seemed necessary. But after
reading Gandhi, I saw how utterly mistaken I was,
Gandhi was probably the first person in history to lift the love ethic of Jesus
above mere interaction between individuals to a powerful and effective social
force on a large scale. Love for Gandhi was a potent instrument for social and
collective transformation.
It was in this Gandhian emphasis on love and nonviolence that I discovered the
method for social reform that I had been seeking. The intellectual and moral
satisfaction that I failed to gain from the utilitarianism of Bentham and Mill,
the revolutionary methods of Marx and Lenin, the social-contracts theory of
Hobbes, the "back to nature" optimism of Rousseau, and the superman philosophy
of Nietzsche, I found in the nonviolent philosophy of Gandhi. I came to feel
that this was the only morally and practically sound method open to oppressed
people in their struggle for freedom...
When I went to Montgomery as a pastor, I had not the slightest idea that I
would later become involved in a crisis in which nonviolent resistance would be
applicable. I neither started the protest [Montgomery bus boycott] nor
suggested it. I simply responded to the call of the people for a spokesman.
When
the protest began, my mind, consciously or unconsciously, was driven back to
the Sermon on the Mount, with its sublime teachings on love, and the Gandhian
method of nonviolent resistance.
As the days unfolded I came to see the power of nonviolence more and more.
Living through the actual experiences of the protest, nonviolence became more
than a method to which I gave intellectual assent; it became a commitment to a
way of life. Many of the things I had not cleared up intellectually concerning
nonviolence were now solved in the sphere of practical action.
OTHER PEACEMAKERS CELEBRATE
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK, TOO
Martin Luther King's actual birthday is Jan. 15. (The King holiday is
celebrated on the Monday nearest that date.) Here are some other peacemakers
who have birthdays during the same week:
+ Rigoberto Menchu Tum (Jan. 9): Mayan human rights activist who received the
Nobel Peace prize in 1992.
+ Joan Baez (Jan. 9): Folksinger and activist
+ James Farmer (Jan. 12): A founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
whose civil rights work followed Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence.
SLOGANS FROM
COFFEESHOPS
Small town comfort in a cup -- Yeti's Grind, Eagle, CO
Red, white and brew -- javawear.com
A perk you deserve -- Dark Canyon Coffee Co, Rapid City, SD
Peace and latte to all men -- Costa Coffee, London, England
Don't settle for the average Joe -- Denver City Search
Life is too short for bad coffee -- Kaladi's, Sioux Falls, SD
Make sure you have beans at home (in case you get snowed in) -- Black
Sheep, Sioux Falls
Share your favorite coffeeshop slogans in the Bill's Coffeeshop
Newsletter. Send them to tomgilsenan@gmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a virtual extension of Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and Uptown Bill's Coffee House. Published since 2000, the Newsletter is written by Tom Gilsenan, a former manager of Wild Bill's and now director of Uptown Bill's. You can write to him at tomgilsenan@gmail.com
Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. It has been a part of campus life in Iowa City for more than 35 years. Located in North Hall, the coffeeshop is open weekdays from 8 am. For more information, check the Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop page on Facebook. You can call the coffeeshop at (319) 335-1281. Donations to support the work of the coffeeshop may be sent to: Bill's Coffeeshop Fund, University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244. Contributions are tax deductible.
Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin of Wild Bill's. Now in its 11th year, it includes a bookstore, performance venue and other businesses in addition to a coffeeshop. Located at 730 S. Dubuque, Uptown Bill's is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am. For more information, check the Uptown Bill's website or Facebook page. You can call Uptown Bill's at (319) 339-0804. Donations to support the work of Uptown Bill's may be sent to: Extend the Dream Foundation, Uptown Bill's, 730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Contributions are tax deductible.
posted by Tom Gilsenan @ 3:58 PM
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