child abuse – Page 2 – Engaging Peace

Honor Thy Children (to save humanity)

Posted on February 18, 2019February 17, 2019 by kathiemm

by Kathie MM

Cloe Axelson in a WBUR Cognoscenti article tells us, “The kids have something to say, and we should listen.” And she’s right.

Axelson’s article focuses on student activists who survived last February’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in which 17 died.

Parkland was not the first example of a mass school shooting in this country; given that the United States has become a nation in which nearly 100 people die daily from guns, it is unlikely to be the last. [I hope you are as horrified to read these words as I am to write them and are thinking of ways to fight the NRA’s deadly work for the arms industry.]

One of the highlights of Axelson’s article is her reminiscence about another young student, Mary Beth Tinker, who was suspended from her middle school in Iowa in the 1960s for wearing a black arm band to school to protest the Vietnam War. The ACLU took her case on behalf of student rights to free speech all the way to the Supreme Court, where she won her case in a 7-2 decision.

I have same hypotheses about the child-rearing Mary Beth and other student activists experienced. I believe that in general, they were not bullied and beaten by their parents. They were not sent off to military schools to straighten them out. They were not told to shut their traps, mind their own beeswax, watch out or they’d get what was coming to them, obey…or else.

More likely, young activists like these are allowed to ask questions, wonder about injustices, read widely, educate themselves about society’s ills, and even speak out about problems they see in their communities and beyond—nurtured rather than suppressed, taught to love rather than to hate, urged to strive for a better society rather than become bullies themselves.

“Beating the devil” out of kids is not a path to a better world. Corporal punishment can beat out a lot of potential for developing a universal ethic and sense of justice—and perhaps destroy our only hope for survival of the planet. If you want to stop violence in and to the world, work to end violence in the home.

And inspire yourself! Hear Mary Beth today in this brief video.

https://nowthisnews.com/videos/news/mary-beth-tinker-talks-about-her-role-in-the-history-of-student-rights

I will not become what was done to me… Part 1, My Path to Peace and Social Justice Activism

Posted on January 11, 2019January 13, 2019 by kathiemm

by Reverend Dr. Doe West

Each of our journeys to the path of commitment to a life dedicated to social justice holds a story that has meaning to us very specifically. But we also find many times that our story generates resonance in others – or even shines a light into another’s darkness.

I offer my story with hopes of lighting a candle in all darkness everywhere.

The first seven years of my life were lived primarily in a closet in my mother’s room.

Also in her bed.

And often in the bathroom being very ill, as witnessed and unquestioned by our country family doctor.

I am not going to dwell here on the details of my early experiences, other than to offer that I understand those who suffer emotional, physical, and sexual abuse – as well as captivity and social deprivation.

Nor am I going to focus on my poor mother’s mental illness, which was ignored and, in some ways, enabled by the social beliefs, stigma, and fears in America in the 1950s.

What I will focus on are some of those life altering realizations/impact moments that people sometimes are allowed.

My first impact moment came when my eldest sister mentioned “the little one in mother’s bedroom” to a teacher who DID NOT IGNORE THE WORDS OF A CHILD. That teacher listened and took action to determine the possible (if not inconceivable) truth of a child’s testimony.

The first lesson was the importance of belief in what is told until or unless disproven by honest investigation.

The second lesson was the power of a witness.

And the third lesson was the power of taking action on behalf of another.

From that impact moment and the lessons learned, a cornerstone life belief / motto / mantra arose in me that led me to higher ground for the rest of my life:

I will not become what was done to me.

I could have stayed in that closet even following my removal.

I could have chosen the comfort of darkness over the terror of everything that lay outside in a world so alien to me, a world into which I was suddenly forced.

I could have chosen to keep the terror rather than undertake literally a decades-long fight to desensitize myself to touch, sound, and the pain of what can be done under the guise of words of love.

Yes, this is a story of faith. No burning bush – no voice in the dark. But yes – assuredly a tale of spiritual communion.

Note from Kathie MM: Please return to engaging peace next week so you can continue sharing sharing Dr. West’s journey to peace and social justice, and consider submitting the story of your own journey, your own movement towards hope and other superpowers.

Take it personally. Get out the vote.

Posted on October 12, 2018October 11, 2018 by kathiemm

by Patricia Daniel

Do you know any veterans who were disabled in one of this country’s many wars? That injury affected them personally. Could they use some support in exercising the democratic values for which they fought–ask them if they would like help getting a ballot in November or demonstrating outside polling stations.

How about someone (perhaps yourself) who was the victim of sexual assault? Take it personally. Offer a ride to the polls.

What about those individuals whose economic and personal wellbeing has been undermined by the billions of dollars invested in warfare and foreign conflicts rather than in education, the environment, and health care? Talk to them about how they’ve been affected. Encourage them to vote.

Do you know people who feel so disenfranchised and despondent about the state of the world that they think voting doesn’t make a difference? Help them to understand that taking action helps to overcome despair—and that the most important action this fall is to get out and vote on November 6.

Who in your community has been affected by gun violence—your neighbor, the high school in the next town, the family going through divorce? These people have been forced to take gun violence personally. Get them to the polls. Learn about relevant ballot measures.

Do you know immigrants whose lives have been uprooted by government-sponsored hatred and family separation? They didn’t ask for maltreatment , but they have to take it personally. Make sure they are registered to vote.

We must take this election seriously, and personally. War and violence are not things that just happen in faraway lands and affect people we don’t know.

On the contrary, look around at people in your community and you will see that a large number of them have been affected by violence and injustice in some way. We can and must do something about it.

Learn about the candidates and issues. Share what you learn with others and ask them to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Many states have early voting and the polls are already open. Take advantage of this to help your friends and neighbors find the time and place to fit voting into their schedules. Start the conversation now and inspire others to engaged citizenry.

Take it personally. Get out the vote.

Note from Kathie MM: What are you doing to get out the vote? Please send us your action stories.

Yearning for Peace and Nonviolence? PREPARE TO VOTE!

Posted on October 9, 2018 by kathiemm

by Patricia Daniel

Now is the time for those who want to stop warfare and find peaceful solutions to conflict to demonstrate their commitment by voting on November 6th.

First, are you registered to vote? If you’re not sure, check with your city or town hall. This is especially important for people who may have been subjected to various voter purges and suppression techniques. Be sure to register before your state’s deadline!

The League of Women Voters’ VOTE411.org makes it easy to register online. Do it today and encourage others to do so. The VOTE411.org site also provides information about early voting, eligibility and identification requirements, and polling place details. Check out this information for your region and make a plan to vote.

Second, do you know where your candidates stand on the following issues:

U.S. support for wars in the Middle East
Gun violence and gun control
Domestic violence
Rape and sexual assault prevention and law enforcement
The arms race—both nuclear and conventional
Environmental issues, the future of the planet
Human rights
An open internet
…… (what else? Please send your suggestions.)

To research (and support or challenge) your candidates’ positions, attend an event where you can question them or call their campaign offices. Even if you don’t get the answers you want to hear, it’s good for the candidates to know that people are asking these questions.

A great deal of information about candidates and issues can be found online. Check out candidates’ websites and voting records or do research using search engines or sites such as OnTheIssues, HeadCount, ISideWith, VoteSmart, or Campus Election Engagement Project.

Third, what about ballot propositions? Be prepared by finding out in advance whether you can vote for an issue related to peace and non-violence.

If you are someone who cares about peace and justice, please do your homework on the candidates and issues, then make a plan to vote on November 6^th.

Note from Kathie MM: Please share your experiences with us as you take the steps to be ready to play your part to protect and preserve democracy.