On a day we are supposed to commemorate a man who worked for a transformation in American society on the issues of race and poverty through nonviolent means, The Washington Post reports that since Musk’s takeover of Twitter, hate-filled speech has astronomically increased on that social media platform, especially in areas outside the United States, where most Twitter followers live.
The Bill of Rights speaks about freedom of speech, but there is a point when speech, rather than being in the marketplace of ideas, is little more than incendiary hatred. Musk has fired or has accepted resignations from almost three-fourths of employees and now racial and ethnic threats are running amuck on Twitter.
The Twitter speech across the globe is now full of threats against people in the LGBT+ community, certain ethnic groups, and racial minorities. It is not free speech to include murder threats. It is critical to live beyond fear and hate, not just here but in the world. Twitter should reflect the spirit of nonviolence that Martin Luther King lived and died for.
Prayer for the Day
Searching for the light, O God, often we find only the shadows,
Failing to do the good we mean to do wet acquiesce to evil.
Knowing we fall short of our goals and your promise,
We come to you in contrition and ask forgiveness.
Move us from hopelessness to determination
So we live life more fully as you intended.
We ask this in the name of him who came to bring us new life
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
- Rev. Martin Luther King (1929-1968)
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
The decrees of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment o the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19: 7-10