Category: Pacifism

International Day of Nonviolence, October 2, 2018

Posted on by kathiemm

 

The “Nonviolence” (or “Knotted Gun”) sculpture by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd on display at the UN Visitors’ Plaza. UN Photo/Fan Xiao

The International Day of Nonviolence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of nonviolence, including through education and public awareness.” The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of nonviolence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and nonviolence.”

Introducing the resolution in the General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said that the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Quoting the late leader’s own words, he said:

“Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”.

From United Nations – TRANSCEND Media Service, Oct 2018

Note from Kathie MM:  Most of you have not heard that October 2 has been declared by the United Nations as International Day of Nonviolence.  Why do our media not call our attention to this important day?  What kinds of messages do flood our media? What can you do to promote nonviolence in your home, your community, your country, the world? Can you spend some time thinking about this issue on October 2–in particular thinking about what kinds of steps you can take today, tomorrow, and on everyday leading up to and beyond the November elections?

Hear their voices!

Posted on by kathiemm

Pauli Murray (Adrienne Williams) talks about being a co-founder of the
National Organization of Women as other women look on.

We Did It For You! Women’s Journey Through History is a powerful musical that tells of the struggles and triumphs women have undergone to get their basic rights in America. Covering over 400 years, it shares anecdotes from the lives of 25 characters and identifies the problems women in America have been up against on their road towards equality. The past is a sacred trust given to us. Learn what women of the past did for us and what they accomplished.

“This was fantastic, informative, emotional. Totally impressed. Good luck!!!!”
“Loved the historic play with the heart-filled songs. Keep it going.”
“This needs to be on Broadway.”
“Amazing show—stories that we NEED to hear, now more than ever!”
“Great production and message.”
“Amazing!”     “Loved it!”
“Great show. Great cast. Great message.”
“I learned SO much! Thank you!”
We do this work because we believe that women have contributed to our nation and that women of the past fought hard for the rights we have today. They did this for us and it is our responsibility to carry on their work for future generations.

Sunday, November 4

2:00 pm Amazing Things

160 Hollis Street Framingham, MA 01702 Refreshments

Q&A to follow

Tickets $15 ($12 members)

Student and group discounts available

(sponsored by Framingham History Center)

New video from our Faneuil Hall performance
of We Did It For You!

Order tickets for November 4th in Framingham
Learn about the accomplishments of hundreds of women. Bring your groups and organizations to see it. See it again! Audiences love this show because it is entertaining while having educational depth. Time and again, audience members say, “I didn’t know that.” It’s why they keep coming back to see it again and again.

 

Peace Within The Creases

Posted on by kathiemm

~Deana J. TavareIMG_7807

by Deana J. Tavares Tavares

Ora Spadafora

 

At 94 years old, Ora Spadafora still dreams and inspires within the process. Peace is her dream, and she makes sure that it flies into the hands of everyone along her path. When she goes out to eat, she always thanks her server with a bright representation of kindness and connection. The colorful paper cranes that were gifted to me will serve as a reminder that we must pass on whatever fragments of peace that we possess within our bones, to the next generation.

Ora  Spadafora’s paper cranes

 

e dotention has conn Within each crease of her paper creations live her shared experiences, words, energy, and spirit. One simple gesture done with great intention has connected our hearts and created another link in the chain of peace. I absorbed the energy and light that she so generously rained down on me.

Beauty upon beauty is what I witnessed. I saw her many layers of light unfolding and folding right in front of my eyes. She still questions. Maybe when we stop questioning is when we truly stop living.

Ora Spadafora with Alan O’Hare and Dot Walsh on Dedham TV’s Oneness And Wellness) You too can be inspired by her words and presence. Stay tuned to see her interview on: dedhamtv.com

Ora mentioned that her granddaughter says, “It is what it is,” and then she responds by saying “But what is it?”

Every day I am blessed, but today I was blessed to be in her presence. I felt her words of peace curl up in the sunniest part of my heart, and there they will remain. It takes many pieces folded together to create a better world. My dreams of peace were gifted one thousand cranes’ wings to fly that day by the beautiful bright aura that is Ora.

Note from Kathie MM:

Follow Ora’s lead. Speak out for peace, for disarmament, for social justice at every opportunity. Join together with some friends and contact your local cable TV station with a suggestion for peace talks.

Deana’s original and somewhat longer post can be seen on her blog at https://jummyjeenz.com/2018/08/08/peace-within-the-creases/

bsorbed the energy and light that she so generously rained down upon me. Beauty upon beauty is what I witnessed. I saw her many layers of light unfolding and folding right in front of my eyes. She still questions. simple gesture done with great intention has connected our hearts upon me. Beauty upon beauty is what I witnessed. I saw her many layers of light unfolding and folding right in front of my eyes. She still questions. created another link in the chain of peace. I absorbed the energy and light that she so generously rained down upon me. Beauty upon beauty is what I witnessed. I saw her many layers of light unfolding and folding right in front of my eyes. She still questions.

 

 

And the Beat Goes On: 100 Living Peace and Justice Leaders and Models, List 4, Part 3.

Posted on by kathiemm
Poster at Rededication ceremony, Peace Abbey, July 29, 2018. Reprinted by permission.

by Kathie Malley-Morrison & Anthony J. Marsella

This fourth list of Living Peace and Justice Leaders continues our efforts to honor the life and work of Reverend Martin Luther-King, Jr.

These are increasingly dangerous times.  Peace and social justice activists like those cited in our four lists help us find ways to resist  rising fascism, racism, militarization, corruption, greed,  disregard for life, and utter contempt for a universal moral code like the Golden Rule.

These leaders and  mentors, and thousands of others like them, need followers but, even more than that, they need comrades–not comrades-in-arms but comrades advancing arm-in-arm  to work for causes that benefit all of humanity and indeed life on earth.  Learn more about these leaders.  Support their causes. Do not bow down to tyranny. Resist.

  1. Nyarwaya:  Eddy Kalisa Nyarwaya Jr. Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Institute for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building; President of the Alternatives to Violence Program
  2. Orlov: Dmitry Orlov,  predicts cultural, financial, commercial, and political collapse in US and elsewhere.
  3. Pauli: Richard Pauli, climate activist  
  4. Pepper: William F. Pepper,  attorney, investigator of assassinations, represented MLK’s family in a wrongful death lawsuit
  5. Pitt: William Rivers Pitt,Teacher, writer, political activist
  6. Prasad: Surya Nath Prasad, writer, Transcend Media Services, supporter of universal peace education
  7. Prysner: Michael Prysner:  S. army veteran, political activist
  8. Priest:  Dana Priest,investigative reporter, Washington  Post, Top Secret America book 
  9. Pulley: Aislinn Pulley,  Chicago Black Lives Matter, African American leader   
  10. Quam: Lois Quam, activist for health care and the environment. 
  11. Reimer: Kevin Reimer,  peace psychology professor
  12. Richards: Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood  
  13. Richtman: Max Richtman, President/CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare 
  14. Schindler: Stefan Schindler,  Peace scholar, poetry for peace activist 
  15. Seed: John Seed, Saving the Rain Forests 
  16. Stevenson: Bryan Stevenson, Slavery Museum
  17. Stone: Oliver Stone, film maker
  18. Sulik: Gayle Sulik, Breast Cancer Founder
  19. Sundarajan: Louise Sundarajan, Indigenous Psychologies 
  20. Tatour: Dareen Tatour, Palestinian citizen of Israel charged with inciting violence with her poetry. 
  21. Thapa: Lily Thapa, Single Women for Human Rights in Nepal
  22. Theoharis: Liz Theoharis Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
  23. Todhunter: Colin Todhunter, writer, critic of international agribusinesses. 
  24. Toon: Brian Toon  climate research 
  25. Torres-Rivera: Edil Torres Rivera,  LatinoX  Counseling for Social Justice activist 
  26. Townsend: David Townsend, J.D., Attorney, Mediator, Activist
  27. Turbeville: Brandon Turbeville Writer for Activist Post, host of Truth on the Tracks, a weekly news roundup serving as a hub for activists, information, and solutions.
  28. Tverberg:  Gail Tverberg,    Energy and Peak Oil Analyst 
  29. Vitchek: Andre Vitchek, revolutionary, internationalist, and globetrotter fighting Western imperialism 
  30. Vilkomerson: Rebecca Vilkomerson,  Executive Director, Jewish Voice for Peace 
  31. Wagner: Richard Wagner, peace psychology pioneer.
  32. Wallace: Timmon Milne Wallis, Director of Peaceworkers UK.
  33. Ward: Eric K. Ward, long-time civil rights strategist
  34. Wedler: Carey Wedler, Editor, Anti-Media
  35. West: Doe West, Native American scholar, pastor, social justice activist, disability rights advocate.
  36. White:  James A. White Jr., Prisoner who started numerous educational programs for prisoners
  37.  Wolff: Richard D. Wolff,  Author, Marxist economist 
  38. Yumbo: Elisvan Greffa Yumbo, Peruvian activist fighting for protection of Amazon waters from oil industry.  
  39. Young: Andrew Young civil rights activist, U.S. Representative, Pastor, diplomat, mayor, educator.
  40. Zimoz: Sergey Zimov, climate change activist working to preserve life in the Artic
    And remember to vote in November.
    1. This week’s posts have been adapted from a longer one on Transcend Media Services. See https://www.transcend.org/tms/2018/08/100-living-peace-and-justice-leaders-and-models-list-4/