Seeing what is not wrong in others

In a recent interview the rock star Bono recounted a story from the civil rights movement. As he told it, shortly after JKF had won the elections in 1960 leaders of the civil rights movement including Martin Luther King Jr. were discussing Robert Kennedy, the new U.S. attorney general. While Robert Kennedy would later become a champion of civil rights, at this time King’s inner circle saw the tough talking Kennedy as an opponent.
After listening to his advisors complain bitterly about Kennedy King replied, “Well then, let’s call this meeting to a close. We will re-convene when somebody has found one thing redeeming to say about Bobby Kennedy, because that, my friends, is the door through which our movement will pass.”

Bono concluded the story by stating that when dealing with adversaries there is nothing more powerful that seeing the light in them. Or if “light” is too spiritual, then at least we must learn to see what is not wrong with them. For that is the door through which the successful resolution of conflicts will pass.

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