When we think of the word “peace,” we tend to default to big conflicts - “out there.” Things like the unfathomable horror in Ukraine, or the worst neighborhoods of Chicago might come to mind. Maybe the deepening battle for limited resources exemplified by the water issues in the Nile Basin,” or in Colorado or Arizona. These are certainly complex and divisive issues that require the insightful work of creative and compassionate peace makers.
But what about the conflicts residing closer to home? Consider the
countless soldiers trained or conditioned to dehumanize the “other” as a pretext for killing in wars. What happens when that other moves in next door? Or the indigenous American farmer forced to till dry, sandy soil because they can’t afford the land with rich dark soil taken from their ancestors . Or consider the uneducated, elderly, black woman, struggling to make ends meet, not knowing that there’s significant help available at that “dreaded government office” a few blocks away.
There can be no enduring peace when our society accepts the exploitation of our most vulnerable - for profit or gain.
Peace ... good conversations around large tables.
No comments:
Post a Comment