Because: Standing Together: Lessons from Rosa Parks and Dr. King on Nonviolent Loving Resistance
Host: Philip Amerson
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and the courageous act of Rosa Parks inspire this reflective episode of the To Be snd Do podcast, hosted by Philip Amerson. Titled “Because Moments,” this brief yet potent segment dives into themes of civil rights, nonviolent resistance, and the ongoing struggle against society’s “triple evils”: racism, poverty, and militarism. Through historical context and heartfelt storytelling, Philip Amerson calls listeners to action, reminding us of the enduring power found in collective resistance, wisdom, and love.
Key Takeaways:
1. Dr. King’s ‘Triple Evils’ Remain Interconnected Barriers
Philip Amerson revisits Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s pivotal address at Riverside Church, which identified racism, poverty, and militarism as the “triple evils” of society. These interconnected issues still shape our communities, standing as formidable obstacles to achieving the “beloved community” where all belong. The episode invites listeners to reflect on how these evils show up today and emphasizes the need for comprehensive responses rooted in justice and compassion.
2. Rosa Parks’ Dignified Defiance Demonstrates Collective Power
The story of Rosa Parks is recounted — not as an isolated moment, but as a catalyst for mass movement. When Parks calmly resisted segregation by asserting, “you may do that,” she shifted the power dynamic via her words and stance. Philip Amerson highlights that she was not alone; her action symbolically carried the strength of her ancestors and was supported by thousands who joined her in defiance. This moment of nonviolent resistance points to the power individuals have when they act in concert with community and history.
3. Nonviolent, Loving Resistance Is Needed Today
Connecting past struggles to current realities, Philip Amerson addresses the ongoing challenges of militarization and brutality, especially at borders and within marginalized communities. He calls listeners to peaceful resistance, inspired by the legacy of Parks and Dr. King—urging us to “stand, and as we’re standing, gently say, ‘you may do that, but we’re not going to follow this nonsense any longer.’” The episode encourages building a beloved community through nonviolent, loving action rooted in solidarity.
Closing Thoughts:
Philip Amerson ends with a blessing and a reminder: each listener is part of God’s beloved community. As we honor those who came before us, we’re called to keep resisting injustice—together, with steadfast love and dignity.
Transcript
Greetings. This is Phil Emerson with the We Belong or the Belonging Exchange podcast. And it's another one of those brief because moments. You know, in the middle of January, we celebrate Dr. King's birthday. We've thought about that in a recent broadcast. But Dr. King, in a very important address he gave at Riverside Church, and it's included among some of the greatest speeches made in this nation, said that really, racism, poverty and militarism or war are the triple evils of society.
Philip Amerson [:He argued that these are inextricably linked and form barriers to what we really want. And. And that's the beloved community. That's what the Belonging Exchange is about. On December 1, 1955, a woman got on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, and the bus driver went to her. She was an African American woman, had worked hard, was tired, and sat down and said, I'm sorry, but I'm telling you, you need to move to the back of the bus or I'm going to have you arrested. Yeah, it's Rosa Parks. The same scene had been played out between this bus driver and Ms.
Philip Amerson [:Parks earlier. And this time, Ms. Parks, told that she was being asked to move to the back of the bus, simply looked up and in the most amazing wise words, she simply said, when he said, I'm asking you to move to the back of the bus, she said, you may do that. It may appear that she acted alone, but she was not alone when she made that decision. She said, I had the strength of my ancestors behind me. She knew her majestic use of the word may instead of can meant that she had claimed the higher ground as a protester and would no longer act as just a victim. This wasn't one woman alone. There were now hundreds, tens of thousands and others sitting symbolically along with Mrs.
Philip Amerson [:Parks. In our time in this nation, we're faced with the brutality and sadistic behaviors of ice and rogue border agents and wars that are called arrests when hundreds of thousands of people are threatened and millions, tens and tens of millions of dollars of military equipment is used, and it's simply there to threaten. And I think we as a people, especially those of us who hear this threat and see this threat, need to know it's time to stand, and as we're standing, to gently say, you may do that, but we're not going to follow this nonsense any longer. In our time, it's time for us simply to say, no, no, we will act together. Recalling the witness of Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Who offered a way of non violence. But it was nonviolent, loving resistance.
Philip Amerson [:God bless. I'm sharing this just because I know you are a part of God's beloved community.
