Dr. King And Lao-Tzu

Option #2
D Hart
Dr. King And Lao-Tzu King and Lao-Tzu both had the same views but different actions. Their views consisted of eagerly wanting the world to become a better place. They wanted equal rights and righteous leaders. Their believes did not consist of taking sides. To them what really mattered was to have everyone be equally content. Even though King and Lao-tzu did not ever meet, there is thought to be a possibility that Dr. King could have read Lao-tzu’s writting. Thus they both believed in equality without violence. Although both leaders had the same views what made them each unique was the way the approached their believes. Lao-tzu believed that with time everything would fall into place. There was no need to act upon his thoughts. He wrote about how a leaders should act and approach his people. Yet he basically did absolutely nothing. For him inactivity was the way to success. “The master does nothing, yet he leaves nothing undone...”. (Paragraph.26). If the leader just watches the government then things will develop naturally. His inactivity showed a hippy way of saying just relax and with time justice will take place. Only and if the leader is good to its government. “..you must learn to follow the Tao. Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.” (Paragraph 35). Lao-Tzu believed that the way to happiness was to keep human nature close, and not try to control it. To him it was a pointless attempt to try and control the everyday events that occur. On the other hand Dr. King strongly believe in taking action. But in a non-violent way of course. His motto was to rise as a leader, take charge and make a difference. Non-violent resistance was his was of rebelling. This was opposite from Lao-Tzu, because he believe that no man should be oppressed. Meaning that if there was injustice it should be left un dealt with. Protesting to Lao-Tzu was pointless, any type of physical action was. Where as Dr. King wanted and did take action. He was tiered of no one doing anything about all the injustice. King did approach in a non-violent way. He did not want anyone to be punished. Its not like he wanted all the white population destroyed for all the injustice. His ways of leading where peaceful and understandale. There definitely can be a reasonable connection between the two. Yes one chose to act upon their believes, while the other waited for nature to take its place. But when taking a close look at both writters they both believed in non-violent actions. Violence does not get rid of the problem it only makes it worse. To them it was pointless reagardless. They where only against injustice, did not want to hurt anyone or physically fight over injustice. Dr. King would have agreed with Lao-Tzu point of view to a certian extent. There just a thought that maybe Lao-Tzu did not understand what Dr. King and all the African Americans where going through. That could explain why Laos actions where so quiet, he wasn’t going through what King went through. King writes, “For years i have heard the word ‘Wait!’ has almost always meant ‘Never’”. For King there was no such thing as wait and time will bring justice. He talks about how he has heard to wait his entire life, yet the years seem to pass and everything remains the same. Non-violent actions had to be taken. The letter that Dr. King wrote was very powerful, there is no way Lao-Tzu could have found it unjust, or ridiculous. Lao-Tzu wouldn’t have agreed with the protesting, but definitely with Kings four non-violent campaign. Determine whether unjust exsist, negotiation, self purification, and direct action. Direct action could be a step that Lao-Tzu would have skipped, just because he had no believe in being active in order to change the world. Two very similar but yet different leaders. Both made a difference in the world, each in an unique way. Lao-Tzus inactive ways and Dr. Kings ressistance approaches. Lao-Tzu writes, “I have three things to teach: simplicity, patience, and commpassion.” A quote that Dr. King could relate to. Making a differnce in the world of unjust behaviors one kind approach at a time.