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From the Director
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Dear Friends,
I’ve been reading Timothy Snyder’s book, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. It is powerful, short and incredibly timely. Let me give you a glimpse of a few chapter titles: Remember professional ethics, Be wary of paramilitaries, Be reflective if you must be armed, Stand Out, Believe in truth, Be as courageous as you can. It is filled with historical events and forces the reader to relate to happenings today, no matter where you live in the world. Look at these few titles and I would guess that each of you reading this could contribute to the chapter. These are common sense lessons. Reflecting on the lessons allows us not to panic for our future.
This weekend the Charter for Compassion begins observing the birthday celebration of Martin Luther King in a Convergence of Activities that we are sharing with a number of other organizations. We will continue our celebration to embrace the building of our own beloved community, a concept that King embraced. Check out our Calendar of Events. Click on each day to learn about the event, and how to register. We will continue to post more as we learn more of the work of our partners and also include our own webinars to the list.
King was a visionary, just as Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were visionaries. What each of them had in common was common sense, an understanding of history and a conviction of love and hope. This same spirit today is reflected in the leadership of Jacinda Ardern, Angela Merkel and Greta Thunberg. King left us a legacy that we must not ignore. There are many thousands who are carrying his mantle of resistance to oppression and path to justice. Most of us understand that love and compassion are the best antidotes to violence and hatred. May we all refocus and double down on being lights that drive out darkness, showing love that drowns out hatred, and spreading compassion that all make our world a better place for everyone. Let’s allow those common-sense chapters of On Tyranny be our points of reflection and action.
Why Martin Luther King Day is Celebrated
in Hiroshima, Japan
Friday, January 22, 2021
8:30 am PT / 11:30 am ET / 4:30 pm UK / 9:00 pm IST
Register Here
We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody, that is far superior to the discords of war. –Martin Luther King, Jr.
Hiroshima, Japan is one of the only cities that celebrates Martin Luther King Day outside of the United States. This connection may seem surprising but a closer examination reveals Hiroshima, known as the “City of Peace” is the living embodiment of many of Dr. King’s core beliefs including non-violence, peace, resilience, forgiveness and optimism. It would be expected that the people of Hiroshima were consumed by sorrow, hate and thoughts of revenge following the atomic bombing of their city. Instead, the survivors of the irradiated city consciously and deliberately rebuilt their city to ensure that every facet of their society – governmental policies, educational system, city landmarks, and holidays, including Martin Luther King Day - contributed to the promotion of world peace. As a result, a city that was described as a “burned scar” in 1945 is now known as the “City of Peace” that aggressively exports reconciliation, harmony and inspires millions around the world every year. Please join the conversation with Steve Leeper of Peace Culture Village and Ray Matsumiya of the Oleander Initiative as they discuss the devastating humanitarian impact of the atomic bombing AND the process of healing and rebuilding that resulted in Hiroshima’s extraordinary culture of peace.
Lead Like Martin: What’s Your Life's Blueprint?
Four consecutive Saturdays: February 6, 13, 20, 27
8 am PT / 11 am ET / 4 pm UK - 90 minutes No Cost
Join us for a four-part interactive series where attendees will get the opportunity to learn how MLK set the standard for compassionate leadership. With each conversation, we will pull practices from his life that teach us how to create long-lasting change, the importance of our own personal beliefs, and how to live a life with meaning and integrity. Take a deep dive into the life and beliefs of MLK and what made him who he was. Reverse engineering some of his most iconic moments and figuring out the 'blueprint' he used to spark change and movement. We will explore topics like: How our beliefs determine our outcome > Why character matters, and to develop it through adversity > Why good isn't good enough for change agents > The difference between leadership and management > How to live a principle centered life and that's important.
Shenequa Pierre and Matthew Hayes will co-facilitate these sessions. Please register in advance (once) for these four free gatherings. Register Here. After registering, you will receive an email containing information about joining the meeting.
In January's Global Read, The Compassion Project, the authors address how society has developed in such a way to facilitate a drastic malnourishment of community, connection and compassion. This book sets out the case for the effective restoration of the active power of compassion as a widely available, fundamental force for good in all aspects of human life. In the process, it draws attention to research which demonstrates that an innate capacity and need for compassionate behavior is closely woven into the fabric of our bodies. Please join us January 20, at 12PM Pacific Time. Register here
Wear Compassion, Talk Compassion! Shop Today
Compassionate Cities Series
Compassionate Pakistan Webinar
Join us Friday, January 22, for a presentation from Compassionate Pakistan about the work they are doing to promote and grow compassion. Learn about their Women Empowerment Zones, their compassionate education lessons, the many students who are benefitting from Compassionate Pakistan, and much more. Please register below for this free presentation focused on Compassionate Pakistan. Friday, 22 January, 2021
TIME: 7:00 am Pacific Time / 3:00 pm UK / 8:00 pm Pakistan
Register here
From Our Partners
Coffee, Compassion and Conversation
In Partnership with Citizen Discourse
Join us each Thursday, at 9-10:15 AM PT for Coffee, Compassion and Conversation. We welcome Charter members across the globe for these free sharing session. Learn more and register here
Women in Leadership and Decision Making
Join The General Congress of Women's monthly call on Women in Leadership and Decision Making, with guest speakers Audrey Kitagawa and Karambu Ringera, with indigenous sacred blessings from Aunty Tina Calderon. Each month, the Charter Partner S.A.R.A.H. addresses one of the UN Women's 12 Critical Areas of Concern of the Beijing Platform for Action. For more about the series and how to register please visit here.
Coming Soon!
Golden Rule Day Looking for Your Voice and Your Videos
This is a shout-out to everyone who wants to share with the Charter, via video, how the Golden Rule connects all of us. Every major religion has a version of the Golden Rule: Treat others as they want to be treated. And there are hundreds of secular versions of the Golden Rule as well. The Golden Rule is everywhere because it is an ancient agreement on how to live together: My welfare is bound up in yours. It is the golden thread that connects all of us. On April 5, International Golden Rule Day, the Charter and our partners will highlight videos from about the world showing that universal connection. Please Click Here to learn more, submit your short videos, and/or volunteer to help with this event. Videos due by February 14.
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