I think there is a natural movement toward kindness and empathy ("natural" because it's evolutionarily sound), described by MLK as an arc toward justice. But there's also a pushback against the trend, because the arc toward justice necessitates the death of selfishness, and people in general fear such a radical transformation.

Sometimes it seems as if we're not moving; sometimes it seems as if we're moving backwards. It's hard to see the overall direction of humanity when the small battles seem so fierce, and the power of intolerance seems indomitable. I think we'll get there, but there's no guarantee.

If we don't progress toward the goal of compassion--if we stand still or move backwards--we will die out as a species. And if that should happen, then we will get what we deserve, and the remaining sentient beings on the planet will be better off for our demise.