Global day of listening: An opportunity to listen and learn

March 20, 2011, is “GLOBAL DAY of LISTENING to ‘live without wars.’”  Inspired by Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, Afghans For Peace, and the Iraqi & American Reconciliation Project, the organizers of the latest Global Day of Listening event are providing opportunities for everyone to talk with ordinary people  from Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Yemen, and other countries around the world.

Follow the instructions and you will be able to hear the stories of people who have firsthand experience with war, occupation, terror, and the death of innocent civilians, and you will be able to ask questions of these people, who are choosing peace rather than revenge as a result of their experiences.

Most Americans get their “news” from the “popular media” that are controlled by the same rich and powerful interests that exercise enormous influence over governmental policy and that gain much of their wealth through the country’s involvement in wars. Don’t believe their propaganda; do not let them convince you that “the only good X (insert name of one of the current popular ‘enemies’) is a dead X” or that you have to “kill or be killed.” Throughout history millions of people have pursued and achieved peace.

Even if you do not take advantage of this opportunity to talk to someone in Baghdad, Kabul, and elsewhere over the weekend, do take some time to click on the links provided above to learn more about these organizations and their fight for peace and/or view some brief videos in which survivors of the invasions in their countries make their pleas for peace.

After you participate in the listening, please share your reactions by commenting here on Engaging Peace.

Kathie Malley-Morrison, Professor of Psychology