The Power of Loving Your Enemy

During a lunch counter protest in 1960, a white supremacist threatened to stab Quaker activist David Hartsough with a knife. What David said to his would-be attacker was the last thing the man was expecting, and it transformed the situation.

Is QuakerSpeak worth $1 a video?

Jon Watts

Jon Watts launched and directed the QuakerSpeak project for its first 6 seasons. Keep up to date with Jon’s work at his website.

8 thoughts on “The Power of Loving Your Enemy

  1. Thank God for nonviolence training and practice. I learned from a Catholic priest with the Michigan Peace team many decades ago, and I am proud to say that I have lived my little ordinary life by it. It has transformed me and, I hope, my children and my grandchildren as well. I will continue.
    Blessings, Friend. Best video ever.

  2. Probably the best Quaker Speak video so far. David Hartsough is a wise man and a true hero. (He would probably disagree!)

  3. I admire and applaud your courage born of Faith. You are an inspiration for all who long to follow Christ, but let their fears and need for security to impede acting on it. Mea culpa!

  4. Friend David,
    You have been living the kind of revolution that Jesus modeled. That has been consistently true for this wonderful half century that I have known you. The Light shines through thee for Good, and whatever we do In Faithfulness is by the Grace of God.

    David, I am thankful for the witness of your life.

  5. Thanks to David and many others like him who live their lives with integrity and are actively engaged in public witness on peace, justice and earthcare. David is a powerful example for all of us.

  6. Dear David,
    Thanks so much for telling us this story. I know how many more examples your life offers all of us. Wanted you to know we will be using this in our Adult First Day School on Simplicity and Justice.
    Many thanks
    Julie Forsythe
    Putney Friends Meeting, VT

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