“We aren’t used to hearing that word love. Especially when love is mentioned as a power. In the corridors of world power, many things are more potent than love—money is power, consensus is power, votes equal power, military force is power...Yet within a world of riots, and murders and napalm and ‘burn, baby, burn,’ some men and women are turning to love.”
Our Quote of the Week asks us to consider love as a power.
In his eclectic and free-wheeling 1967 Address at the University of California, Sargent Shriver quotes everyone from Leo Tolstoy and Ghandi to Sonny and Cher. He recounts stories from his time leading the Peace Corps and building the programs of the War on Poverty. He also makes specific recruiting appeals for some of the programs of the War on Poverty, including Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA, now known as Americorps VISTA) and Head Start.
Drawing from his personal experiences and from world events, Sargent Shriver admits that there are many examples of poverty, injustice, inequality, and violence occurring at home and abroad. In his inimitable style, he enthusiastically talks about love as the antidote to these ills—love that inspires action, service, communion with others.
This week has been full of reminders of the power of love. From the powerful message of of love and inclusion in Bad Bunny’s electric performance at the Super Bowl, to the commitment and steadfastness of the 19 Buddhist monks who completed their Walk for Peace in Washington DC, we are feeling the pull towards a love that inspires action for a more peaceful world. With Valentine’s Day upon us, may we take the opportunity to send out gestures of love all around us, within our homes and in our communities, and may we build upon those gestures every day.
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