Observance Of Dr Martin Luther King’s Birthday

[Written by Glenn Fubler]

Imagine Bermuda hosted a Gathering in observance of the Birthday of Martin Luther King. We had invited a limited number of a diverse group of residents – a size that allowed for an intimate dialogue on the implications of specific aspects of King’s legacy for today’s Bermuda.

Among the 20-odd in attendance, we were graced by the presence of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Joan Dillas-Wright and 4 other public figures.

However, all of those attending had accepted the invitation on the premise that their participation in the Gathering was based on not formally representing any of the ‘hats’ that they might wear from time-to-time.

The Gathering began at Noon at the Chewstick Foundation’s new Cultural Hub on Front Street and as people assembled, they were offered a choice of three pots of home-made soup as they socialized.

After each attendee introduced themselves via the roving mic, the Gathering did a minute of silence to the memory of the many from our shared past, ‘named and un-named’, who have contributed to any and all the success each of us in the community enjoy today.

We then spent 20 minutes viewing a film of a TED Talk of Adam Kahane who is a facilitator who began his career working with the parties involved in South Africa, in the period immediately following Mandela’s release, up to the establishment of that country’s first democratically-elected Government.

Kahane’s success on that project led him on a journey involving addressing challenging circumstances in 50- odd countries. These experiences have shaped a process which has at its core a philosophical perspective around ‘Love’ and ‘Power’, which was articulated by Martin Luther King, in one of his last major speeches.

Following the film, participants were invited to offer any insight that they had gained from the Talk. Here are some of the highlights from that 30 minute period:

• There was the question of whether Kahane’s approach was ‘too academic’, in the light of real-world circumstances. In response it was pointed out that this approach has addressed some very explosive situations such as in the conflict in Columbia which even involved parties who were imprisoned and ‘underground’.

• One attendee pointed out that approach recognized that a society was obliged to apply both ‘Love’ and ‘Power’ when addressing the fundamental needs of a community.

• Another suggested that it was obvious that ‘Love’ without any ‘Power’ would be in no way effective.

• One attendee reported that he has begun using the approach in a project for which he as responsible and he found it very useful.

• Another participant speaking to the overall occasion, pointed out that this type of Gatherings was important since they are premised on the acceptance of differing opinions, perspectives and positions.

• An attendee made the point that offering ‘spaces’ for open dialogue, notwithstanding any and all differences amongst participants was an essential component of a sustainable society.

The feedback expressed by those in attendance reflected a consensus that staging Gatherings which bring representatives together from the diverse sectors of our society in promoting ‘unity in the community’. The session ended with the intention to follow up on specific matters raised.

The Director of Chewstick – Gavin Smith – gave an undertaking to collaborate with us in hosting a further Gathering of this type within the next month.

#DrMartinLutherKing #GlennFublerColumns

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