When Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 he reflected on the civil rights movement occurring in the United States. He called it a “creative battle.” I think MLK was correct – significant social change is a creative act, an artistic act. It requires us to see the world with new eyes and pursue that vision with thoughtful use of our being. This is the essence of art.
The creative non-violent movement of MLK is captured well in a photo. The photo, taken in 1957, depicts the Duchess of Kent dancing with the newly empowered president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah. Beyond the surface, it shows the oppressed intimately relating to their oppressor. Shortly prior to the photo, the Duchess was part of the ruling class and the president was behind bars. How is it that they can share a magical moment?
It is art!
It is a powerful vision for the future!
It is re-imagining the tools for solving conflict!
It is beautiful!
Let us never fight with falsehood and violence and hate and malice, but always fight with love, so that, when the day comes that the walls of segregation have completely crumbled in Montgomery, that we will be able to live with people as their brother and sisters.
-Martin Luther King, Jr., Birth of a New Nation, April 7, 1957
Whether or not we are beyond the need for the civil rights movement is a discussion for another time. But have no fear, we still have ailments that could use the skillful hand of an artist. What could fresh eyes do with urban blight? What could a new perspective do on crime? What could a different outlook on education do for children? What could rethinking our economic system do for society?
Beyond new perspective, what could happen if we re-imagined the way we put our resources and talents to use? Could someone turn an abandoned city rec center into a hub for technology complete with makerbots and an audio-visual studio? Could someone use their physique as a professional athlete to connect with and teach children about art? Could someone see their youthful age as an asset to open up dialog between rambunctious groups of teens?
Of course the answer is YES. We can see things differently, and we can act in new ways. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that, and lived that. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an artist.
