Practicing Integrity

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 Topic: Practicing Integrity

Here is a quote from Malcolm X that we are using to illustrate the Virtue of Integrity:

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole."

Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965) was an American minister and human rights activist who was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. He was assassinated, probably because he advocated for racial equality and we all know that America does not like that idea. However, like most great men, his words and work live on after his premature demise; he is one of the most recognizable figures in American civil rights history. Even in my backwater high school in the most conservative state in the country, we learned about Malcolm X.

In this quote, Malcolm tells us exactly what it means to live and breathe Integrity. Being true to yourself means acknowledging your place in the greater world and knowing what you stand for. Practicing the Virtue of Integrity will inspire you to be invested in the concept of justice wherever it may be applied. He also reminds us that truth is true no matter where it comes from, and that we are obligated to seek and live the truth in all places and in all ways.

This is also a deeply Compassionate statement, seeing the big picture and Mindfully recognizing that we are all in this life together. It embraces all of humanity, without preference or prejudice toward any individual class or race, which is the basis for true Compassion.

This sentiment even illustrates Core Tenet #4 and how we must demonstrate respect for science and the scientific method, because that is how we advance the cause of humanity in general. Science is, after all, our best tool in the search for truth.

This is all practical, real-world philosophy that we can apply immediately because it makes the most logical sense. I can see how this message can be useful for deciding what to expend your energy on, what is important to you. We can all do our own small part to support social justice or humanitarian causes, whether that means donating money or volunteering or even just sharing relevant posts on social media. Be a social justice warrior (or a social justice bard or cleric or whatever DnD class you most identify with. I would love to meet a social justice sorceror.) The important thing is to always be striving to be a better person, and living with Integrity is a vital part of that.

Were you already familiar with the work of Malcolm X? Is there another quote from him that you believe illustrates a Virtue or Core Tenet of the Path?

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