Resisting Empire, Embracing Love: Dr. King’s Teachings in a New Era
Today, the country marks the inauguration of Donald Trump, while we also honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.—two men whose legacies could not be further from one another. As we remember the values of Dr. King and the many leaders of the Black Freedom Movement, we are reminded that their visions of justice, peace, and equality call us to action—right here, right now.
Dr. King’s 10 Commandments for Nonviolence formed the foundation of the pledge he and others made as they engaged in action toward equal justice. These commandments urge us to seek peace, love, and justice in every aspect of our lives—our words, thoughts, relationships, and actions. They call for more than passive belief in equality; they demand active engagement in making justice a reality.
As I reflect on these principles, I am reminded of the themes from yesterday’s Lost & Found gathering, where Bruce Reyes-Chow led us through Romans 12:9-21. In this passage, we are called to “bless those who persecute you” and to live in harmony, even in the face of profound injustice. This scripture challenges us to embody love in action—just as Dr. King’s commandments call for us to do. It is a reminder that our work for justice is ongoing, that we must continue to show up for one another, and that love, in its truest form, requires us to actively resist systems of oppression and injustice, as we strive toward the Beloved Community.
And this is difficult work in the face of genocide, late-stage capitalism, anti-Blackness, and so much more. But these struggles are not new and will not end with the arrival or departure of any one leader. These battles have been fought for generations, and they continue to demand our attention and action. As the scripture urges, “bless those who persecute you,” it is a call not to passively endure, but to act—to resist with love, to embody justice, and to stand in solidarity with all those who are oppressed. Love is not merely a feeling; it is something we do. And in this time of transition, we must continue to show up, care for one another, and resist systems of injustice and empire, just as Jesus and Dr. King did.
As we move forward, let us take these lessons to heart. The work is not easy, and the fight for justice may feel overwhelming at times. But it is through our collective action, our commitment to love, and our ongoing resistance that we can build the Beloved Community Dr. King dreamed of—a world where justice, peace, and equality are not just ideals, but the lived reality for all. Let us not forget that love is a practice, something we build together, day by day, as we show up for one another, resist injustice, and create a world where everyone is valued and cared for.
In solidarity and hope,
Dezi Primous-Gillon
Manager of Communications and Digital Organizing
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
Works Cited
Buffalo Quakers. "Martin Luther King's Ten Commandments for Non-Violence." Buffalo Quakers, 27 Mar. 2018, buffaloquakers.org/blog/2018/3/27/martin-luther-kings-ten-commandments-for-non-violence.
