Resistance is a many-splendored thing

By Kathie MM

During World War II, the military arm of fascist Germany was met with resistance throughout Europe. In France, Holland, Russia, Yugoslavia, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Albania, and within Germany itself, despite the struggle  merely to survive, ordinary people—men, women, and children–resisted the take-over, the racism, the anti-Semitism. One of the largest resistance movements was in Poland; to immerse yourself in the drama of historical anti-Nazi resistance, read the wonderful portrayal of the Polish resistance movement  in the engaging novel, A long, long, time ago and mostly true, by Brigid Pasulka.

The WWII resistance movement employed a number of tactics, often nonviolent, to resist the invaders, including strikes and demonstrations, alternative  media (declared illegal by the invaders) to fight Nazi propaganda, their own anti-Nazi publications, and sabotage.   It was highly risky work but it contributed to the ultimate defeat of Nazism. Those resistance tactics are in use today to fight a range of  threats not just to democracy but to the survival of the earth and its inhabitants.

For example, in the United States today, there is growing concern with the way fascism seems increasingly entwined with the military industrial complex, promoting an agenda that cares nothing for human beings and their living environments except for the profits and power that  can be ripped from them.

Although resistance to governmental policies that threaten democracy, social justice, and the environment is less risky in the US today than was fighting the Nazis in WWII, many people are wary of “sticking their necks out” in a country that seems increasingly fascist.  Yet there are growing signs of resistance at every level of society that should give us hope for countering the threats on the horizon today.

Just a few recent examples of resistance to agendas that endanger us all:

Wisconsinites braving the freezing weather and turning out in force, crowding the inside of the capitol building, chanting “Respect our vote!” and fighting for a return to democracy

The Women’s March, opposing all forms of bigotry and white supremacy .

Children around the world demanding attention to climate change.   See this ,   and this .  and this 

Engaging Peace will share more of the resistance efforts that counter the destructiveness of many government policies in weeks to come; we invite you to submit your favorite examples of these actions.

What you can get from George

Symbol of anti-communist, anti-authoritarian, anti-totalitarian resistance. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Author: Nguyen1310

by Kathie MM

Authoritarian governments dislike facts and the promoters of facts—particularly independent journalists and scientists, because independent journalists and scientists are often the promoters of facts and scientific findings that do not feed into the self-serving agendas of the autocrats.

Among the scientists whose psychological insights on authoritarianism we have shared on engaging peace are Roy Eidelson , Anthony Marsella , and George Lakoff , all of whom have grave warnings about threats to democracy  and human rights.

Today, for the lovers of peace and justice who are appalled by the authoritarian forces ruling our country today, here is some advice adapted from George Lakoff’s formula for flipping negative attacks by authoritarian power mongers into positive progress for Americans:

  1. Dont help spread negative messages by re-tweeting them or forwarding them with their own abominable negative language and disinformation intact.
  2. Do focus on the correct information, the alternative messages designed to promote peace and justice.
  3. Do talk to people about what’s happening in the country right now.
  4. Frame your arguments, your recommendations about healing our government, in your own words, focusing on the good things you want to see happen rather than the bad things being promoted by the authoritarians. In addition,
  5. Join the #ProtectTheTruth campaign
  6. Support the independent media.
  7. Fund the political candidates who will take on the authoritarians.
  8. Urge people to vote in November.

 

Holding Space for Hope

Holding space for hope. Author: Kathie Malley-Morrison

 

By Rev Dr Doe West

I have come to deeply appreciate the concept of “holding space”. Two examples of what that means were expressed in  articles I clipped–one by Lynn Hauka  and one by  Heather Plett .

Lynn offered that “When you hold space for someone, you bring your entire presence to them. You walk along with them without judgment, sharing their journey to an unknown destination. Yet you’re completely willing to end up wherever they need to go.”

Heather added that “It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgment and control.”

Love those definitions.

As I was having deep and painful – yes, even grieving – conversation with friends concerning the gravity of the darkness of these times, I wondered if I could use this understanding for something less tangible than a person. Could I hold space for hope?

Could I bring my entire presence to hope – even as I watched unarmed children, women and men shot down in Gaza?! Could I walk without judgement as I listened to this POTUS call immigrants “animals”?! Could I not try to fix them or impact the outcome when I have devoted my life to the work of Social Justice!?!
As I sat with that contemplation, tears of rage and sorrow poured down my face. What was the worth of even considering such a thing?

And then – as that peace that passes all understanding finally washed over me again – I found my answer.

I learned the art and tool of not judging vs. mindfully observing to allow myself ultimate understanding. I learned the art of not trying to fix a person vs. work to assure I was not acting in a way that either paralleled or allowed their actions. If I do not judge them vs. assure my own convictions and actions are within my ethical and moral place on higher ground, then I am doing the work of social justice… for that is always worked from within first and foremost… always built on a foundation of depth of self-awareness and clear perception of actions so that my own fear, anger, and negative perception does not create my own lie as I live the moment.

I must face my truth; live my truth and so offer the truth of resistance. And my truth will always be cloaked in hope. Not false hope; honest hope that cannot help but arise when your truth is justice. Justice is born of hope in the face of the worst of adversity. Resistance is fed by hope that allows us to walk through the bullets to aid the wounded.

Hope is one of the greatest expressions of love I know. I am holding space for hope.

If you really, truly, honestly want democracy…

A teacher at the March for Our Lives in Portland, Oregon, protests the idea of arming teachers with guns. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Author: Sarahmirk

by Kathie MM

What you really need to do is promote quality education—including supporting, appreciating, rewarding, and protecting the teacher and student activists who embody democratic principles.  As neo-fascism  and anti-intellectualism  and  the distrust of education and educated people they promote engulf our shaky democracy, give thanks for the students and teachers who have the courage to speak out on behalf of nonviolence  and quality public education . We need good role models right now.

Enemies of freedom and justice have always worked to prevent and curtail education for any perceived threats–click here  and here  for examples– to their  desire to dominate and control.  “Keep them in their place,” is the eternal message, “or they will threaten our way of life”—a way of life that keeps all too many people downtrodden and feeling powerless.

Right now there is a huge conflict going on in this country—between the tiny but powerful and very greedy plutocracy  exercising increasing control over the lives of the non-elite and the forces of resistance, the promoters of democracy, the broadest category of dreamers .

If you really, truly, honestly want a functioning democracy, support the students marching for our lives and support the teachers speaking out on behalf of public education and nonviolence. Find the causes and undertake the actions that make you feel you are doing your share to make the country better for all.  And please tell us about them.