I see that the path of progress has never taken a straight line
I see that the path of progress has never taken a straight line, but has always been a zigzag course amid the conflicting forces of right and wrong, truth and error, justice and injustice, cruelty and mercy.
Hear the wise voice of Kelly Miller, scholar and thinker of the African American struggle for dignity, who declared: “I see that the path of progress has never taken a straight line, but has always been a zigzag course amid the conflicting forces of right and wrong, truth and error, justice and injustice, cruelty and mercy.” These words rise like a beacon through history, for they remind us that the journey of humanity is not smooth nor unbroken. Progress is no golden road stretching straight toward the horizon, but a jagged and twisting path, marked by struggle, resistance, and contradiction.
The zigzag course Miller speaks of is the reality of all human striving. For every step forward, there is often a push backward. For every victory of justice, there is a counterstroke of injustice. For every dawn of truth, shadows of error creep in to obscure it. Yet the path continues, weaving between cruelty and mercy, stumbling yet never ceasing. Progress is not denied by its crookedness; rather, it is proved by the fact that, despite resistance, it keeps moving forward.
Consider the story of the abolition of slavery in America. The nation was founded with lofty words of liberty, yet chained millions in bondage. At times, truth seemed to triumph: abolitionists cried out, the Underground Railroad carried souls to freedom, and the Emancipation Proclamation thundered across the land. Yet the zigzag appeared, for after emancipation came Jim Crow, after Reconstruction came disenfranchisement and terror. Still, progress was not extinguished. Through the fire of the civil rights movement, through the sacrifices of countless lives, the torch of justice moved forward, though never in a straight line.
The ancients too knew this truth. The Israelites wandered forty years in the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land. Greece birthed democracy, yet enslaved and silenced many. Rome proclaimed justice, yet crucified the innocent. In every age, the forces of right and wrong, truth and error, cruelty and mercy clashed like titans, bending the course of history into strange shapes. Yet through all this zigzag, something greater was wrought: wisdom, resilience, and the eventual slow triumph of higher ideals.
Miller himself, writing in the early 20th century, spoke as one who saw his people lifted from chains yet thrust into the shadows of segregation. He knew that progress was real, but it was not pure, not straight, not unchallenged. His words ring with patience and steel: that one must not despair when setbacks come, for setbacks are the very shape of progress. The crookedness of the path is not proof of failure, but proof of the struggle that makes progress meaningful.
The lesson for us is clear: expect no straight line in your life or in the life of nations. When you fight for what is good, you will meet resistance. When you speak truth, you will be met with error. When you demand justice, you will taste injustice. But do not despair. Remember Miller’s wisdom: the zigzag is the pattern of progress. Every stumble is part of the climb; every detour still bends toward the summit. The true tragedy is not the crooked path, but the refusal to walk it.
Therefore, O child of tomorrow, walk the zigzag without fear. Hold fast when you are pushed back, and rise when you stumble. Do not be dismayed by the clash of opposites, for it is in the fire of that clash that strength is forged. And remember always: progress is not straight, but it is sure. The road bends and twists, but it carries us forward still, toward greater justice, deeper truth, and the hope of mercy triumphant.
THPham thi huong
The conflict Miller describes in the path to progress really makes me reflect on how society often seems divided. When we push for change, we’re faced with both allies and opposition, and the journey isn’t always clear. How do you think we can reduce the conflict in the process of progress? Is it possible to find balance between these opposing forces, or is the tension between right and wrong what actually drives progress forward?
NANguyen Thi Ngoc Anh
Miller’s perspective on progress really emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. It’s easy to get discouraged when we face setbacks, but maybe they are just part of the journey. I wonder: Do you think that this zigzag pattern is just a human experience, or is it a necessary cycle in every form of progress, whether personal, social, or even technological? Can we ever achieve a 'straight line' of progress?
LHLe Hunh
This quote highlights the ongoing tension between opposing forces, suggesting that progress isn’t linear but rather shaped by conflict. It makes me wonder whether we tend to focus too much on the conflict and not enough on the ultimate goal of progress. Do you think the conflict between these forces is inevitable, or is there a way to resolve them for smoother progress? Could progress be more peaceful if people found common ground more quickly?
HNTran Hoang Nam
The idea of progress as a zigzag path is an important reminder that we don’t always get it right the first time. It also suggests that change is often messy and involves compromise. I’m curious: in your opinion, does this mean that the struggle between opposing forces is a fundamental aspect of progress, or can we make strides without so much conflict? How do you think we can navigate these forces to move forward more effectively?
TTNguyen Trung Tien
I find it interesting how Kelly Miller frames progress as a battle between opposing forces. It makes me think about how societal change often comes in small steps, with setbacks along the way. Do you believe that true progress can only come from these challenges, or could it be possible for us to progress in a more straightforward way, without the conflict? How much of progress is shaped by the tension between right and wrong?