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U.S. can be strong and just by maintaining values and unity in face of threats

Roshan Abassi, left, a teacher at the Dar Al Uloom Al Islamiyah mosque in San Bernardino, and Mohammad Nadvi, the mosque’s founder, answer questions after prayer at the mosque in San Bernardino, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Syed Rizwan Farook was known to pray every day at the mosque. Authorities say he and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed his co-workers Wednesday at a holiday party at a social service facility in the city.
Roshan Abassi, left, a teacher at the Dar Al Uloom Al Islamiyah mosque in San Bernardino, and Mohammad Nadvi, the mosque’s founder, answer questions after prayer at the mosque in San Bernardino, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Syed Rizwan Farook was known to pray every day at the mosque. Authorities say he and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed his co-workers Wednesday at a holiday party at a social service facility in the city. Nick Ut AP

How can the mighty be just?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his followers sought justice as they marched into the teeth of attack dogs, police batons, and fire hoses in Selma. Gandhi's followers sought justice as they resolutely walked into the "whacks of the clubs on (their) unprotected skulls" in Dharasana. Victor Frankl claimed justice by not allowing the Nazis to impose their will upon him. He maintained his choice of how to respond to their cruelty.

We can choose our response to ISIS's cruelty and mayhem. That choice should be in keeping with our best ideals, not from our meanest nature.

We can absorb these blows and respond with integrity first and then a steely determination to create a path toward justice and peace. Finding that path has never been easy.

Dr. King, Gandhi and Dr. Frankl sought that difficult path. They showed how the meek could lead the powerful closer to the path of justice. They absorbed horrific injustices and through their steady determination and moral clarity showed the world the brokenness of their oppressors.

But how can the powerful be just?

We maintain our integrity. We stick to our ideals -- the rule of law, openness and generosity. We do not turn away the persecuted and war-torn. We do not turn against our neighbors because they have a different faith than the majority. We do not allow ourselves to be taunted into a fight.

We cooperate with others of good will and present a united front and fight if we must, but not with uncontrolled passion and fury. The just path is difficult to see and harder still to maintain, but we must persevere.

Let us learn from history rather than repeat it.

Eric VanArsdall

Bradenton

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "U.S. can be strong and just by maintaining values and unity in face of threats ."

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