December 2017 – Engaging Peace

New Year’s Resolution 3: Engaging New Leaders

Posted on December 29, 2017December 30, 2017 by kathiemm

The four tenets of Leaderful Practice as against the traditional model of leadership. In the public domain. Author: Madhwani Vicky.

By Kathie MM

Selected New Year’s Resolution of the Day: Engage new leaders at every level of the political system.

The country’s government is a mess, has been so for ages , and is getting worse. That’s why you frequently hear the term “populism” in regard to the last election.

Populist movements act to “disrupt the existing social order by solidifying and mobilizing the animosity of the “commoner” …against “privileged elites” and the “establishment”.^[1]

Last year’s populist leader on the right won out over the establishment; the populist leader on the left was shut out by the establishment. And now, income inequality continues to grow, all the evil isms increasingly contaminate daily life, environment rape accelerates, and violence spreads its venom into all our lives .

But we’re still here. Millions of people want greater equality, benevolent justice, environmental protections, nonviolent solutions to conflict—and an end to racialopathy, ethnicopathy, sexopathy, environmentalopathy, and all those other social pathologies plaguing our land.

What will it take to move us in a better direction?

Better leaders. Ethical leaders who will fight for peace and justice—inside as well as outside prevailing political structures.

Consider the image at the beginning of this post. Does the “leaderful” profile fit your idea of the kind of leader we need? If not, what characteristics would you seek?

Can you think of anyone in the country today who has the kind of qualities you would want in a leader?

I asked my friend Tony Marsella this question. Here are some of his nominees: Noam Chomsky, Andrew Bacevich, Chris Hedges, Helen Caldicott, Daniel Ellsberg, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Maya Soetoro, Johan Galtung, Robert J. Burrowes.

Who are your nominees for potential leaders who will seek liberty and justice for all, promote democratic ideals, and act to sustain rather than destroy life on earth?

They’re out there. Search for them and tell us about them.

And please support engaging peace. You can click here to donate

New Year’s Resolution 2: Resist Racism

Posted on December 27, 2017December 27, 2017 by kathiemm

Part of Open Clip Art Library. In the public domain. Author: liftarn

by Kathie MM

So, for 2018, will you be content resolving to lose weight and/or get more exercise or do you want to aim a little higher—for world peace, for example? Or maybe just greater peace in your neighborhood and country?

Take a chance. Aim high. Resolve to take on the scourge of racialopathy.

Here are some resolutions suggested by Jaime Grant, Director of the Global Transgender Research and Advocacy Project, back in 2015 They are more than ever morally necessary and everyone can promise and pursue at least one of them.

“Stop saying — and especially stop telling your children — that ‘race doesn’t matter.’ Open your eyes to the impacts of racism all around you; point out the ways racism is playing out in your path and help other white people understand their unearned privileges and their attendant responsibility to dismantle racism.”

“Don’t think of yourself as “doing good” or “giving back” by addressing racism; understand that you are making reparations but that you will never share the jeopardy that racism presents to your peers of color. You are benefitting from a daily racist ‘pass.’”

“Campaign for and fund candidates at the local and national level that address racism in local, national and foreign policy.”

“Organize, teach and challenge other white people to address systemic racism…

a. Share anti-racist tools and articles on social media;

b. bring friends to local actions;

c. challenge racist frameworks and lies among your peers;

d. collect and disseminate excellent research and literature;

e. disseminate anti-racist art;

f. organize an anti-racist study group or action;

g. interrupt racism as you encounter it.”

Acting on such resolutions would make for a more honorable new year–and maybe that’s a better pursuit than more personal happiness.

New Year’s Resolution 1: Resist and Rise

Posted on December 26, 2017January 5, 2018 by kathiemm

By Kathie MM

New Year’s Resolution 1 comes from the long-time successful activist group Greenpeace International. They have resolved: Tomorrow we rise.

Here are their specific resolutions:

“Tomorrow we break the cycle of overconsumption.

Tomorrow we hold corporations accountable.

Tomorrow we try to decrease the terrible impact of the industrial livestock machine.

Tomorrow, we stand together so that people everywhere are treated a little more equally.

Tomorrow we shake power structures that only serve the few at the expense of the many.

Tomorrow we are positive about our future and will rebuild the planet the way it should be.

Because tomorrow, we resist and we rise.

We’ll see you there.”

Will Greenpeace and Engaging Peace see your signatures on petitions? Will we hear your voices at rallies on behalf on the environment and peace? Will you join us at the ballot box next November, supporting candidates who understand the threats to our environments, and our futures?

Will you rise and resist?

Will you send us your own resolutions to share with other readers?

Now is the hour: Use the holidays to pledge your commitment to peace and social justice.

And please support Engaging Peace. You can click here to donate.

Tis the season…to find renewal and inspiration

Posted on December 22, 2017March 9, 2021 by kathiemm

by Kathie MM

“ Love all God’s creation, both the whole and every grain of sand. Love every leaf, every ray of light. Love the animals, love the plants, love each separate thing. If thou love each thing thou wilt perceive the mystery of God in all; and when once thou perceive this, thou wilt thenceforward grow every day to a fuller understanding of it: until thou come at last to love the whole world with a love that will then be all-embracing and universal.’

from Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacriﬁce, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places — and there are so many — where people have behaved magniﬁcently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an inﬁnite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in deﬁance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

From Howard Zinn, A Power Governments Cannot Suppress. (San Francisco: CityLights Books, 2007),p. 270.

What messages inspire you?

Please send them to Engaging Peace so we can share them with our readers.