Pain & Suffering, Education, and Love
- Quinn Takei
- Jul 4
- 7 min read
I have just returned from Spending time in Washington, DC. My family and I planned this trip to accommodate my two younger daughters going to a concert being held at the National Park Auditorium for “Stray Kids”, a Korean pop band. While my daughters were occupied with the events surrounding this concert, despite it being hot as hell with multiple heat warnings, my wife and I had the opportunity to experience many of the beautiful and educational opportunities that DC had to offer. Perhaps because it was so hot, the museums were not crowded at all. This afforded us the opportunity to take our time, read the information, and fully absorb all we could.
During our time there, we chose to visit the National Gallery of Art Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. We had been to the Art Museum and Holocaust Museum before. However, we had never been to the African American Museum. We had tried several times to get tickets in advance; however, they were always unavailable. Despite the fact we did not have tickets, we went to this museum in the hopes of somehow getting in. Fortunately, tickets were available, and we were able to explore this powerful museum- which was an unexpected highlight of our trip!
Each of these museums, as with all the Smithsonian Museums, were fantastic. They are so well done, informative and educational. And especially with the Museum of African American History and Culture and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Smithsonian succeeds exceptionally well at telling the story of how and what happened… of accurately sharing history. (If you have never been, I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of these treasures at our nation’s capital).
I was brought to tears multiple times throughout the Museum of African American History and Culture and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Tears of sadness.
Tears of disgust.
Perhaps more than anything, tears for how much pain and oppression we humans can inflict upon one another.
So much pain…
So much suffering…
6 million Jews (1.5 million children) were murdered in the Holocaust.
12.5 million African men, women, and children were enslaved and brought to the “New World”.
…the details of each are horrific.
Some would like these past events to be packed neatly away in a memory box that is placed on a shelf somewhere out of the way from our current life because, after all, that was in the past… and long time ago… in the past. Yes, that sure would be convenient for some.
The last concentration camp liberated in 1945… this was only 80 years ago.
Schools in the US were officially desegregated in 1954 following the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education… this was only 71 years ago.
"Violence at the Children's March"- Sep 2, 2022
My parents witnessed both, as I am sure many of you reading this now also lived through these events.
For me, this is just 1 generation ago.
How could such atrocities happen?
How could some intentionally inflict so much suffering upon another?
How could so many enable these acts of terror?
How could so many sit back and allow these acts of terror to unfold?
How could so many willfully remain ignorant of acts of terror happening around them?
…Surely acts like this could never happen again.
Some would like to revise and sugar-coat our history and omit the really ugly and disturbing parts. Some would like to minimize the injustice and cruelty that has been inflicted upon others. Some would like our history to be barbaric and more heroic. Yes, that too sure would be convenient for some.
The simple and undeniable truth is- there are things that humans have done to other humans that are absolutely horrific. History is soaked in unthinkable cruelties, appalling acts of brutality, and gruesome violence.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
My father is Japanese. His father passed away before I was born. His mother only spoke Japanese and lived her life in Hawaii where my father was raised. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Due to the language barrier and distance, I never really knew my grandmother. On the few occasions we visited her when I was a young boy, we were unable to communicate.
I recall my father telling me something she shared with him that has always stuck with me. My grandmother told my father, “Education is the one thing that can never be taken from you.”
Education is critical.
...I don’t refer to education simply as what is leaned in academia. “Education” is far more expansive. This also means…
Education of history.
Education of how we got here.
Education of the world beyond our hometown, state, and country.
Education of the cultures, beliefs, religions, and philosophies that differ from our own.
Education of logic.
Education of how to evaluate and know fact from fiction.
Education of deciphering thoughts from feelings.
Education of how to question our own epistemology (How we know what we know? How do we have knowledge?)
Education of our own criteria of establishing concepts of right from wrong, good from bad, and just from unjust.
Being well educated and well informed is critical in forming your opinions of right and wrong and what is just and unjust.
While today we are inundated with information, it seems it is more difficult than ever to be well educated. Online information and social media have algorithms that give us what we want to see. As I look at my Google feed today (and most days) it is composed of the following:
1. Music and guitar stuff (I play guitar)
2. Things related to self-improvement/philosophy
3. Topics about health: medical research, supplements, and exercise
4. Travel related articles
5. Politics
6. Stuff about surfing
If I use my Google feed for my main source of information, I just might start to think that there is not much more in the world than these things… but I know there are many more.
If I only consume one type of news source outlet, I just might start to think that the information I receive are the only true facts… but I know there are many sides to every story.
Yes, I think it is more difficult than ever to be well educated.
No, I know it is absolutely more difficult than ever to be well educated.
While we were in DC, we made it a priority to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Surrounding the 30-foot sculpture of Dr. King carved from white granite is a 450-foot long wall featuring 14 quotes from King's speeches, sermons, and writings.
I love the writings Martin Luther King Jr. I got my undergraduate degree in Philosophy with a minor in Religious Studies. I spent a semester emersed in the formal study of the philosophy and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught that nonviolence is not passive but a powerful force for social change, rooted in love, justice, and moral courage. These philosophies, inspired by Jesus and Gandhi, also supported peaceful resistance to confront injustice and oppression. Central to his message was the pursuit of justice and equality for all people, especially in the face of racial segregation and discrimination. King spoke of “agape love”, a selfless, unconditional love that seeks the good of others, even one's enemies—as the foundation for building a "beloved community." He held a deep belief in hope, redemption, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. King also advocated for civil disobedience, asserting that unjust laws must be challenged through moral action. It was these teachings that inspired movements for civil rights and continues to inspire movements for human dignity and peace around the world.
“A Testament of Hope- The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.” remains one of my favorite books today.
Some of my favorite quotes by Dr. King include:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
"Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude."
"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
"The time is always right to do what is right."
And perhaps my favorite… "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
This article has been a weaving of some thoughts and feelings given energy and motivation by my recent trip to Washington, DC. Sometimes I get writing and I’m not sure where it will go. Sometimes you just have to go with it. As I reflect on what has been written, I see three themes:
· The cruelty and acts of hatred and oppression toward other humans.
· The importance of being well educated and questioning your knowledge.
· Martin Luther King, Jr’s teachings of how social injustice and how "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." And how "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.”
I’m not sure what these three themes have to do with anything happening now.
Perhaps nothing…
Perhaps everything.
Article by Quinn Akira Takei, Doctor of Oriental Medicine(NM), Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, and Holistic Health & Wellness Coach.
The Center: Natural Health Specialists, 8404 Six Forks Road, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27615. (919) 848-0200. www.TheCenterNHS.com
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