Love is the Most Durable Power
“I am convinced that love is the most durable power in the world.”
Love is not a subject that is generally included in more professional or formal spaces. The topic of love is assumed to be the purview of families, couples, and spaces that are more focused on relationships. However, the truth is that all interactions between human beings are different forms of relationships ranging from momentary and transactional to long-term commitments.
When he talked about love, Dr. King was not referring to simply the relationships between family members or lovers. His work was focused on the systemic injustices of racial and economic inequality. And in this space he chose to center himself and his work in the ethic of love.
“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”
Love is not a soft concept. It is not limited to the domain of family and romance (which are not easy spaces to live and move, as we know). Love is a transforming power. It is a radical, catalytic, durable force that can change the course of organizations, nations, and history itself. Love endures and perseveres even in the most unlikely spaces and through that perseverance love creates change.
When we truly grasp and are deeply affected by the breadth and scope of love, it impacts all of our interactions, no matter how brief. We begin to understand that all people are worthy of love, even in their most damaged and damaging spaces, including us. We begin to understand that even the people with whom we are currently engaged in important and necessary conflicts are worthy of love.
There is so much in our world that needs changing. Systemic racism, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia, ableism, ageism, and all the other ways that systems have been built to privilege some while devaluing all others. These systemic injustices will not be solved by sending love letters. But if we are to engage with these systems and push them toward deeper equality, equity, and justice, the only way to do this work without it breaking us is to center ourselves in an ethic of love.
As we remember Dr. King this weekend, I am re-centering myself in a powerful understanding of love and the justice work that true love demands.
