Powerful Character Lessons From Dr. King and Dr. Suzuki
We can learn powerful character lesson from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Hence, we observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today.
We remember that he had a dream for all of us to live respectfully and peacefully with each other. Dr. Shinichi Suzuki also had a similar dream for all parents and their children around the world.
Character Defines Us
Dr. King and Dr. Suzuki both knew that a person’s character is what really defines us as human beings. Moreover, parents are responsible for raising their children to have fine character.
Dr. King and Dr. Suzuki believed that the concept of racial superiority was detrimental to all society. Racism is taught.
A baby as young as three months old can recognize the differences in people’s skin tone. Therefore, as parents and teachers, we must take on the task of teaching children anti-racist ideas.
The Suzuki philosophy of teaching encourages repeating the lesson until it is mastered. We must repeat these anti-racist lessons consistently until they become part of our children’s character (and our own, for that matter).
If we do not teach these lessons, then the concept of racial superiority will continue to “raise its ugly head”. Sadly, Dr. King’s dream for all people will continue to languish.
Dr. King’s Dream
Dr. King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” address in 1963 in Washington, DC. In that address, he encouraged those attending to realize that violence would not win the day for them. But, rather they should “conduct their thirst for freedom on the high plane of dignity and discipline”.
Dr. King went on to say that only by standing together with white people would people of color (POC) make progress in their lives. He dreamed of ALL people living and working together with love and respect for each other.
However, I believe that the most poignant moment in his message was when Dr. King spoke of his children.
He said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
So, let’s be a part of transforming our nation into the one about which Dr. King and so many others have dreamed. Let’s raise our children with the powerful lessons to have fine character and look for the same fine character in others.
Dr. King had devoted his entire life to making this dream come true. He continued to do so until his life was taken from us too soon.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Suzuki’s Dream
Dr. Suzuki believed that “ability can be developed in a child of any race. In the future, there will come a time when man will not ask what race a child is, but will think of humanity as a whole. I believe that the foolish parts of human history were often due to racial prejudice.” (p.26, Ability Development From Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki).
“Character First, Ability Second” Lesson
Dr. Suzuki also had a dream that “all children on this globe may become fine human beings, happy people of superior ability, and I (Dr. Suzuki) am devoting all my energies to making this come about, for I am convinced that all children are born with this potential.” (p. 87, Nurtured By Love by Shinichi Suzuki).
Suzuki grew up in a home and school with the motto, “Character First, Ability Second”. Accordingly, that ought to be the motto for all of us.
Dr. Suzuki insisted that a student develop fine character. Because he was a violinist, he did that through the vehicle of music. One of the hallmarks of the Suzuki philosophy of teaching is the parent is directly involved with their child’s study of an instrument.
For example, parents attend lessons, learn to play the instrument first, and act as the “home” teacher. Parent and child are learning together. As a result, music becomes important to the entire family.
Most importantly, families are developing fine character through working together and making the music a part of who they are. Dr. Suzuki also advocated for teaching with love, encouragement, and respect.
“Ability can be developed in a child of any race. In the future, there will come a time when man will not ask what race a child is, but will think of humanity as a whole.”
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
For the Sake of Our Children
To this end, parents, teachers, and all those involved with our children must help raise them to judge others by the content of their character and NOT the color of their skin.
We must keep the dreams of Dr. King, Dr. Suzuki, and so many others alive in our hearts and minds. They worked for a better future for all of us. We must do the same with love and respect.
On the Beautiful Heart Musical Journey with you,
Susan
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