Inscription on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, commemorating the location from which Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington on 1963-08-28. Available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
If he were alive. If he had not been struck down by an assassin’s bullet. If he had not embraced the mantle of peace and social justice in a country where murderers abound, and where their targets are frequently people of color, crusaders for social justice, gun control advocates, and proponents of nonviolence.
If he were still alive, he would probably weep at the slow hamstringing of progress towards the goals for which he fought. Yet, if he were still alive, I know we would see him continuing his struggle to make the US a better place–a struggle in which we should all participate.
Monday is his day, and in his honor I am posting another excerpt from the essay Building a Racially Just Society by Roy Eidelson, Mikhail Lyubansky, and yours truly. Let’s keep his beacon burning.
“Psychology plays an important role in the social forces perpetuating individual and institutional racism. Because of the link between race and class, the psychological mechanisms that perpetuate class injustices also tend to perpetuate racial injustices. The widespread preference to see the world as just, for instance, leads people to… blame those who struggle with socioeconomic disadvantages – disproportionately people of color in the U.S. – for their own plight. This perception then dampens the popular will to support a role for elected governments in setting reasonable minimum standards of economic rights, fostering a political culture that greatly harms working families of all races.
Other psychological mechanisms relatively independent of class also reinforce racist attitudes and actions. Negative cultural stereotypes of African Americans are pervasive and entrenched, in part because of a psychological inclination to unconsciously legitimize status quo disparities….
These biases not only serve as the foundation for intentional expressions of prejudice and racial violence but also for unintended yet harmful micro-aggressions, which often cast African Americans as deserving of fear, distrust, and disrespect. Too often, inaccurate and biased news reports and media portrayals further serve to reinforce perceived differences of the racial “other.” At the same time, stresses associated with disproportionate suffering from class injustices, with being treated as “second-class” citizens, and with being targets of discrimination increase the likelihood of negative physical and psychological health outcomes for African American children and adults.”
Pride heart with peace symbol. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International. Author: JorgenCarlberg.
The desire for peace and social justice beats in many hearts, but that desire, that dream, that need, too often become squelched by fear mongers, by the military-industrial complex, by unscrupulous politicians hoping to terrify citizens into voting for them, by the power brokers who enrich themselves through means that kill, maim, depress, and dehumanize enormous segments of the human species.
Psychologists have learned a lot about the processes enabling the power-hungry to manipulate others and the processes that make all people vulnerable to manipulation. Time to get the word out.
Among the powerful processes that can make ordinarily kind human beings act in immoral, insensitive, uncompassionate ways are various forms of moral disengagement, including dehumanization, and blaming the other. However, human beings can also be or become morally engaged on behalf of themselves and others and moral engagement can become a force for the kind of resistance to social injustice we saw in the Occupy Movement.
A new ad hoc committee of psychologists, of which I am a member, has come together to address issues of violence, particularly structural violence , and social injustice. We are embracing an explicitly psychological perspective, and are powered, I believe, by moral engagement. Here is our new organization’s preliminary mission statement: To genuinely and compassionately promote fairness and well-being for all.
Our planned strategies include:
Using psychological principles
Speaking truth to power
Renewing peoples’ beneficent thoughts, actions, and feelings, and doing so with basic kindness.
Engaging people on behalf of the well-being of themselves and others.
There is a long history of arts-for-peace groups focusing on promoting peace practices and influencing people to think about their own interpretations of peace. Contemporary groups include the Peace Education through the Arts Culture and Exposure (PEACE) (http://arts-for-peace.org) and Create Peace Project (http://createpeaceproject.org).
The Peace Education through the Arts Culture and Exposure group describes themselves as seeking to imagine a future celebrating the plenitude and diversity of the world’s cultures within three major objectives:
Focusing on our shared human interests in peace, equity, and justice by providing fora in which the arts provide an expressive vocabulary for the examination of social and political issues affecting our communities.
Creating a space in which visual and performing artists can acknowledge difference and advocate creative, nonviolent conflict resolution by engaging with each other and their audiences, especially young people.
Relying on the arts as a platform for social innovation and peace education, in order to inspire hope and build bridges across cultures.(http://arts-for-peace.org)
The video at the beginning of this post features Matt Harding who, in 2012, began traveling around the world, because he wanted to dance with people from different countries. His video is an enthusiastic display of how people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds can engage joyously with each other. It reflects the philosophy behind Dance for Peace, which “creates a container where each person can find their own peace, not by suppressing their difficult emotions, but by celebrating them through creative and healing outlets: Dancing, conscious breathing, chanting, drumming, hugging, laughing, crying.” (http://danceforpeace.com/)
Sarah Oppenheimer is a student studying psychology and philosophy at Boston University. She currently works as a research assistant in the Translational Research Program at BU’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and BU’s Social Development and Learning Lab. She is also currently President of BU’s Undergraduate Psychology Association. She took Psychology of War and Peace with Professor Kathleen Malley-Morrison
Temple of a million years of Rameses II – Ozymandias statue, Luxor, Egypt. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Author: Steve F-E-Cameron (Merlin-UK).
More than Nations . . .
by Guest Author Anthony Marsella
Contrary to the widespread myth, nations are not the sole source of massive international political, economic, and social international events, forces, and changes. It is true the story of history is often told with nations as the grand hand behind unfolding events. Reality, however, is very different. Nations are merely one player among many players shaping history each day amid a complex crucible of “games and gambles” serving many interests.
The myth of “nation” determinism is encouraged by a select group of individuals, organizations, and nations who seek to hide their wealth, power, position, and privilege in shaping the world order and disorder. It is to their advantage to function as shadow forces, often beneath the mantle of nations. Their immediate visibility may be hidden, but their influence is profound. The players are displayed in Figure 1.
Figure 1
The question must be asked: Can any nation or groups of nations control and dominate the many powerful agencies, organizations, and rogue nations immune or resistant to a nation’s power? Have the times, which nurtured and now sustain, a new array of powers capable of cooperation or contention according to their interests, created a chaotic and desperate dance unresponsive to policies and strategies of control and domination once accepted as successful? A partially visible system now exists, dedicated to the preservation of powerful military-industrial-congressional complex, cited by President Eisenhower in his farewell address (January 17, 1961), as an emerging danger to our nation.
It is assumed nations will pursue the interests of their citizens and state. This too is a myth! What is accurate is certain powerful or rogue nations with access to unlimited military have the capacity to intervene at will to shape the world order through (1) imposed regime changes, (2) invasion and occupation, (3) war, death, destruction, (4) economic and financial controls, (5) sanctions, (6) cultural and religious systems, and (7) many other illegal and immoral policies and actions. Using secretive policies, strategies, and tactics, nations can become shills for private interests. But this Orwellian dystopian situation, relying heavily on military power and private wealth, is now leading the world toward disaster.
In today’s global community, many competing nations, and their hidden shadow groups, have access to military power and might. They also have access to other means of exercising power including economic, historic, moral, religious, and information communication technology (ICT). For the latter, the word and process becomes both a shield and weapon.
I must include “protest groups and factions” because they are present, and exercise some direct and indirect influence. Indeed, responses to these groups and factions (e.g., unions, abolish nuclear groups, Wall-Street protestors, environment activists, peace advocates) often require even more assertions of power and might by those in power. In this respect, the groups and factions are players, albeit often desperate amid their limited numbers and organizational stature.
The World Order: “Games” and “Gambles”
The seductive “games” and “gambles” to control and shape world order has been played for thousands of years by individuals, societies, and “nations.” The prize for winners: Empire! Global domination, control, and wealth! Why? With domination and control comes power to impose selfish interests on conquered people, regions, and societies. A certain “cache” is also sought! Etching the names of individuals, groups, and nations, amid the famous and infamous collection of empire, suggests “immortality.” We may despise those enshrined in history, but we cannot deny they remain alive in memory — now omnipresent in Google.
Even a passing knowledge of world history reveals the pursuit of “empire” has ancient roots (e.g., Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Aztec, Inca, Ottoman, Mayan). The words of the romantic-era poet, Percy Bysshe Shelly’s (1792-1822), Ozymandias, capture the inevitable demise of empire. But while it lasts, it is an intoxicating and blinding stimulant, feeding heart and mind with the pleasures of adulation and comforts of power:
Ozymandias
I met a traveler from a distant land, who said: “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert . . . Near them, on the sand, Half-sunk, a shattered visage lies . . .
And on the pedestal these word appear: “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works ye mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains Round the decay of that colossal wreck, Boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
The Pursuit of Empire
The pursuit of empire continues! Ozymandias embody the tragic impulse and result. Power, its inevitable rise and fall! No lessons learned! Only the deceptive rush of visions immune to reason! Empire remains the quest for nations and their private supporters seeking protection and opportunity. Empire is no longer confined to a sovereign state or nation. There are too many competing players. Most are unwilling to yield to a single supreme authority, but eager to use its mantle to pursue their interests.
As Figure 1 displays, the players in the “games” and “gambles” for world order and disorder, sow and protect their seeds. How can a sovereign nation control diverse powers having no loyalty to nation, but loyalty only to their own existence and security? Amid their privacy, they too often escape condemnation, but they too must know “empire” passes. Privatization, the preferred policy of the neo-liberal and neo-con establishments, provides an omnipresent petard on which to fall.
Conspiracy? Of Course . . .
Is conspiracy present? Yes! Conspiracy is an attempt to hide, conceal, veil, or secrete actual events and forces from recognition. Conspiracies exist to serve special interests, contrary to interests and welfare of others. Conspiracies use an array of methods and tactics to elude attention, lest the methods and tactics be recognized as immoral, illegal, and dishonest or criminal. Recall, the villainous lies, deceit, and abuses used by the Bush-Cheney government to invade Iraq, and cast the Middle-East into flames: Iraq has nuclear weapons; we must use torture to obtain information; a global war on terrorism is necessary. With their actions, they indicted our nation, embedding us in endless war. Citizens became co-conspirators by our passive agreement (See Abby Martin interview with Lt. Colonel Wilkerson, former assistant to General Colin Powell, who was tricked into claiming Iraq had nuclear weapons (see http://fktv.is/the-classic-decay-of empires-us-army-colonel-lawrence-wilkerson-27480). Wilkerson points out the massive deceit used by a small group with access to power to launch the USA into a “total” global war.
The ubiquitous iconic “back room” of politics is not a myth! It exists and functions to maintain public ignorance, under the guise the public does not need to know, for it would not understand what we must do. The conspirators: En loco parentis! We act for your welfare by protecting our welfare. “Trust us! Trust us! If you do not, do not stand in our way!
What tragedy! What a betrayal! What a despicable effort. This effort continues across the spectrum of “players” involved in the “games” and “gambles” of world order and disorder! The players have the political, economic, and military power to continue the “games” and “gambles.” They lack only moral justification. A tangled web of deceit!
Table 1 offers a list of policies and actions used by the world order players. It is frightening! These are not limited to nations or governments. They have become part of the options available to private individuals, groups, and commercial organizations. This is what is so frightening and dangerous! The foe and their methods escape visibility and prosecution. The justice systems normally relied upon to keep order and to protect, are part of the problem. There is an unbounded flow of mutual connections across the nations and groups via common board members, financial supporters, and shared visions of morality.
Table 1:
Policies, Actions, and Alternatives (Alphabetized) In Support of Nation and Other Organization Aims and Goals
Assassinations/death squads/drones;
Bounties for info/capture, and assassination;
Bribery, purchase, and installation of pro-American leaders and dictators;
Celebration of national “morality” in the face of evil acts;
Collaboration/contracts with foreign universities, scientists, professional organizations, and intelligence agencies defaming their character;
Contingent “humanitarian” aid – implicit and explicit;
Contingent “foreign” aid;
Control of UN via vetoes and economic and political pressures;
Control of IMF and World Bank;
Cooperation with foreign nation security services (e.g., military, intelligence, corporations);
Development of domestic crowd controls (militarization of police);
Drones(Widespread use of drones by domestic/national groups and agencies);
Drug wars. Corruption of local officials;
Disproportionate support of “allies.” Enemification of others;
Entrapments of targeted individuals and groups – persons of interest;
Establishment of military bases [more than 700 known USA foreign bases];
Exportation of unpopular American culture (i.e., consumerism, materialism, commodification, competition, crony capitalism, corruption, celebritization)
False flag operations disguised military and/or economic interventions/invasions);
Foreign student/faculty/consultant exchanges (used for intelligence recruitment);
Fund development of disguised/pseudo-organizations used for national military and security purposes (e.g. Human Ecology Fund, ONR, AID);
Glorification of war, militarism, warrior mentalities and images, machismo;
Hegemonic globalization (i.e., control of socio-technical changes and economy);
Infiltration of peace, anti-war groups, and social activist organizations;
Invasion and overthrow, including regime change;
Justification of torture (“enhanced interrogation”);
Mass surveillance, monitoring, and archiving of info/communication data;
Massive growth in government/private intelligence agencies and organizations;
Media influence and control via biased news and biased news commentators;
Military interventions and occupation of nations and regions;
Mind control technologies (e.g., drugs, EMR, behavior control technologies);
Negotiation/conflict resolution delays are now policy;
No Prosecution of connected military, government, civilian law violators/abusers;
Military occupation of foreign nations, regions, and cities;
Promotion of nationalism, pseudo-patriotism, USA exceptionalism;
Project for a New American Century (Developed to insure USA Hegemony);
Project Infra Guard (Collaboration between FBI and hundreds of thousands of businesses in USA to report on citizens resulting in creation of mass list of citizens with no opportunity for contesting surveillance. (Every mall and every store provides video and other personal information;
Propaganda to instill citizen fear, and vilification of individuals and groups;
Recruitment of spies, informers, collaborators, agents among friends, neighbors. The best spy is a person who doesn’t now they are a spy, but in fact, as they share information on neighbors, friends, and family, the information is collected and archived;
Renditions in numerous countries;
Use surrogate nations and forces to accomplish military goals;
Use false-flag incidents;
Use major philanthropic foundations to influence policy and actions;
Vilification, demonization, enemification of domestic and/or international critics;
Weapons/arms dealer sales for money, and for promoting conflicts;
Witness protection programs.
What an array of possibilities! In a world of lawlessness, anything goes, and does! We remain in shock at the destructive events occurring across the world. Yet we too often ignore these events as consequences of the protected policies and actions of nations, individuals, private organizations, engaged in protecting their interests. Millions of lives and life are lost oblivious to the sorrow and grief exacted. Protected from harm, the perpetrators of harm are engage in the “games” and “gambles” of world order and disorder. To what end?
This essay was originally posted by Transcend Media Service, December 17, 2015; reprinted with permission.
Anthony J. Marsella, PhD, is emeritus professor of psychology, University of Hawaii, and former president of Psychologists for Social Responsbility (http://www. psysr.org). His recent publications include Marsella, A.J. (2012). Globalization and psychology. Journal of Social Issues, 68, 454-472; and Marsella, A.J. (2011). Nonkilling psychology and lifeism: I am what am. In J. Pim & D. Christie (Eds.), Nonkilling Psychology (pp. 361-378). Honolulu, HI: Center for Global Non-Violence.
