Engaging Peace, the nonprofit we created in 2010 to promote peace and social justice education, is about to embark on a new venture. Specifically, the blog will be transferred to another activist organization–Massachusetts Peace Action (MAPA).
Mass Peace Action is the largest peace organization in Massachusetts, with ties to other peace organizations around the country. Here are a few examples of its activities in 2020:
Hosted more than 70 webinars, with speakers like Noam Chomsky and Trita Parsi
Held dozens of events to protest war in the Middle East and intervention in Latin America; sent more than 10,000 emails to state and federal legislators and the White House
Surpassed 15,000 supporters, 1,000 subscribers on YouTube, and 5,000 followers on Twitter
Grew to eight working groups with active engagement of over 100 volunteers
Started the “Fund Healthcare Not Warfare” Campaign
MAPA’s Education Fund, like Engaging Peace, is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.
Before the Engaging Peace archive moves to its new site, we want to thank all our readers, guest authors, and donors for sharing our work towards peace and social justice over the last 11 years.
What a wonderful journey it’s been, starting when we first imagined a blog to making it happen, becoming a nonprofit, adding the newsletter, and growing our contacts to over 900. Over more than a decade, Engaging Peace has published over 1,000 posts (which prompted almost 5,500 reader comments), more than 100 monthly online newsletters, and over 60 political cartoons.
During that time, we were honored to have contributions from over 90 guest authors and illustrators, dozens of interns, and hundreds of commentators.
We most especially offer thanks to our donors who supported EP and helped us meet our budget, and to our board of directors (Doe West and Alice LoCicero) for helping to guide EP through a host of decisions and milestones.
Although Engaging Peace, Inc. as an organization will close, Kathie, Pat, and the EP cartoonist, Joe Kandra, will continue to publish occasional posts and cartoons on the MAPA site.
The best news of all is that our efforts for peace and social justice will continue within a larger constellation of activists within Mass Peace Action. Our work is their work, our goals are their goals. Please continue to participate in these efforts toward a more peaceful and just world for ourselves, our children, and the future of the earth.
Action: If you would like to sign up for MAPA’s e-alerts, just click here. And please be sure to watch for new posts and cartoons from Kathie and her team on the MAPA site.
1. Like so many in Congress we can ignore nuclear weapons and hope they go away—some in the new administration want to restart talks—that’s progress
2. The pope condemns war and nuclear weapons every so often but diplomatically hasn’t mentioned anyone by name
3. Political oppositions must rise up in all nuclear nations and press
governments to reduce their numbers—zero’s a nice number.
4. Convince the military to dismantle them—gotta include that one
5. Wave a magic wand
No one knows how effective the new government will be. Obama promised to rid us of nukes and to close Guantanamo—still waiting. The pope has spoken for himself but most bishops are hardliners. Activist efforts continue despite setbacks. The fourth method is an outlier, but it has been tried. Ground Zero’s attempt last year to urge submariners to disobey unlawful orders (viz.,“Fire the missiles”) didn’t dent Trident. So keep waving that wand, Bubba. What do you do if writing your congress-person or upholding honkable banners is not yielding the desired results?
One method I didn’t mention is direct action (civil disobedience/ nonviolent resistance) which was first advocated by Henry David Thoreau against slavery and the war with Mexico. Ghandi employed it for civil rights in South Africa and against colonial rule in India. More recently Martin Luther King, Jr., and others used the same principles effectively in the struggles of the ‘sixties. However, the tactic has a risk not characteristic of the others of financial loss and/or incarceration.
It’s one thing to claim imprisoned heroes like Plowshares7 Jesuit priest Steven Kelly or Wikileaks’ founder Julian Assange or soldier and intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning or Edward Snowden, leaker of National Security Administration surveillance methods; it’s quite another to follow in their footsteps.
In May of 2019, the Ground Zero Center for Non-Violent Action (GZ) emailed me about their proposal to protest at the Bangor-Kitsap Trident Base the weekend of May 11. Activists were invited to perform brief gestures of non-violent civil disobedience. They scheduled a morning of inspirational talks by GZ leaders and a keynote by Kathy Kelly, a well-known war-crime protestor and Afghanistan activist. In the afternoon a lawyer sympathetic to the cause would present legal information and instruction. Replying I’d attend, I ordered an 8’ x 3’ vinyl banner and contacted other Olympians to rideshare that day.
By scheduling the event the day before Mothers’s Day they wished to remind people that holiday had close connections to peace advocacy. Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia used her Mothers Friendship Day in 1868 to reconcile former Union and Confederate soldiers. Two years later the suffragette and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe authored her Mother’s Day Proclamation urging mothers to unite in promoting world peace.
At the entrance of the Trident Base a one-foot-wide blue line, labeled US Government brightly in white, has been painted on each lane of the highway at Trident Boulevard, the Navy property. Knowledge of this line is critical to the nature of the GZ protests.
After lunch GZ’s legal advisor clarified for us that protestors who stand (dance, read poetry, sing peace songs, etc.) blocking highway traffic on the state side of the blue marker who also refuse to disperse when ordered to do so by the highway police will be cited for blocking access on a state highway and must report to a state court as notified to answer the charges. Those protestors who cross the blue line onto the base and stand (dance, read poetry, sing peace songs, etc.), who refuse to return to the state property when ordered by base security (the Marines) will be cited for federal trespass and informed they must report to a federal court. He could not make it plainer the federal violation is regarded as more serious—occasionally much more serious—than the state offense.
We were then asked as to what course we’d choose without judgment as to our sincerity or dedication to the cause: 1. to stand alongside the highway; 2. to violate the state law; or 3. to violate the federal law. Eight stalwarts opted for the state side; I chose the federal side: the rest, about fifty in number (and average age), chose to march, sing, witness, and cheer.
GZ and Navy base security had earlier agreed on the site and timing to avoid dangerous surprises. Banners and signs in hand we proceeded to the base as state police cars gathered on an overpass, and Marines with protective vests and weapons, parked their van near the blue line.
First the eight formed a line in front of the blue demarcator and began with a song, followed by each demonstrator via bullhorn presenting his or her rationale for blocking the road: citing international law, recounting other heroic stands, praying and announcing recent comments of the pope. Finished, they stood in place, and as each was approached by the highway police to move off the road, they refused, and were in turn politely taken by an arm and led off to the berm where individual citations were drafted and delivered.
As the last was led away I stepped forward with my banner held chest high, got to the center of the road, and took two steps behind the blue line. A Navy security officer told me to step back to the state side. I stood still and did not answer. Then he asked if I knew the meaning of the word trespass. I acknowledged I did and was approached by two guards, one who took the banner out of my hands while the other led me behind the van out of sight of the crowd.
They took several photographs (presumably for Navy and NSA records) while a guard asked for my ID and address.
One guard, fearful I might faint, inquired if I preferred to sit on the van floor where the side was open. I did and gladly accepted a paper cup of water besides. Despite our training to remember carefully everything we were asked and said, there was some casual conversation before they returned my banner and took me back across the blue line. My allies cheered my return. The citation told me I would be advised within ninety days of my court date.
Charting a “Culture of Violence:” Causes and Consequences
As the immediate emotions of the presidential elections pass — the euphoria and elation of the winners, the grief, despair, anger of the losers — the harsh realities of daily life once again emerge. Among these is the widespread violence that exists in the United States as displayed in Figure 1. As Figure 1 demonstrates, the manifestations and consequences of violent acts are extensive. This suggests the existence of a “culture of violence” that is generated, sustained, and promoted by acts that arise from individual and collective impulse and intent, and that too often find tier tolerance and approval across political, economic, educational, military, and moral policies of institutions.
Regardless of our wishes that this was not the case, the United States of America is a “culture of violence.” The Figure 1 (i.e., chart) offers a quick visual display. It is neither comprehensive nor explanatory, aside from recognizing the reciprocity among the different acts and sources of violence. There is an obvious interaction across the acts displayed in which simple cause-effect relations disappears amidst the complexity. Each act is both a source and consequence. A cultural ecology of violence.
Figure 1: A Culture of Violence
The Omnipresence of Violence
Violence abounds in American society, touching everyone’s life as victim, perpetrator, or anxious observer and witness of the endless violent acts committed locally, nationally, and internationally. Ultimately we are all victims and perpetrators through acts of intention or acts of silence and indifference that support a tolerance of the situation. There is no escape from this reality. How much more violence can we view on TV, how much more violence can we cheer and applaud in entertainment, how much more violence can we experience before we are faced with a constant state of stress, anxiety, anger, and/or moral indifference?
There is a widespread fear, anxiety, and stress that leaves citizens of all ages feelings vulnerable and insecure, awaiting the possibility of violence touching their lives, and bring with it grief and sorrow. It is clear violence is widespread in the world. Every person — regardless of location — is compelled to live with daily reminders of risk and danger. What is distinct about violence in the USA, however, is the existence of a national culture of shared, learned behaviors and meanings transmitted across generations via ethoses, values, attitudes, and ways-of-life that are violent. These inform and guide our institutions resulting in the socialization of a culture of violence.
USA Foreign Policy: Driver of National and Global Violence
The foreign policies and actions of the United States of America over the course of the past 100 years are rooted in intentions to control and dominate international order of nations and cultures. These policies and actions have proven destructive to national and global peace, and have served and empowered the interests of a limited number of individuals and groups. Ultimately, under the guise of protecting “national interests” these policies and actions are major sources, carriers, and promoters of violence nationally and globally. They are asymmetrical and hegemonic in nature, and sustain the status quo in consequence. While all are announced as intentions to bring democracy and freedom, they have too often resulted in occupation, oppression, and repression of human rights. An obvious result — visible in virtually every nation caught in our efforts – is the costly growth of a vast USA network of: (1) military bases and operations, (2) massive fortress embassies/consulates, (3) encampments/prisons, (4) death squads, (5) cultural disintegration and decline.
These policies and actions do not promote cooperation and admirations, rather they encourage instability via reflexive protests, insurrections, rebellions, revolutions, and acts of domestic, state, and international terrorism. Table 1 display the spectrum of USA foreign policy and action choices, options, and alternatives. All nations act in their own interests, The issue, however, is that in a global era, in which the understanding of the causes and consequences of violence and war are now better known, selfish national interests result in direct and indirect opposition. For many nations who feel victimized and humiliated by the USA, revenge is considered just and appropriate. This creates an endless cycle. Who benefits? Table 1 displays a spectrum of USA foreign policy and action practices — they are used as needed.
Table 1: USA Foreign Policy and Actions Choices, Options, Alternatives
Assassinations/death squads/drones,
Bounties for info/capture
Bribery/blackmail/entrapment
Celebration of national “morality”/necessity of torture
Collaboration/contracts with universities, scientists, professional organizations
Contingent “humanitarian” aid
Contingent foreign aid
Control UN via vetoes
Control IMF and World Bank
Cooperate with foreign nations (e.g., military, intelligence)
Development of domestic crowd controls (militarization of police)
Diplomacy
Drug wars and corruptions
Disproportionate support of “allies” and enemification of others,
Establishment of military bases [more than 900 known foreign bases],
Exportation of popular American culture
Foreign student/faculty/consultant exchanges
Fund development of disguised/pseudo-organizations (e.g. Human Ecology Fund)
Glorification of war, militarism, warrior mentalities
Hegemonic globalization
Infiltrate peace and anti-war groups
Mass surveillance, monitoring, and archiving of data,
Non-Prosecution of connected military, government, civilian law violators/abusers
Occupation
Promotion of nationalism/pseudo-patriotism
Propaganda and promotion of USA exceptionalism,
Purchase and installation of pro-American leaders and dictators,
Recruitment of spies, informers, collaborators, agents
Use surrogate nations and forces
Use false flags incidents
Use major philanthropic foundations to influence policy and actions
Vilification of domestic/international critics.
Weapons/arms dealer/sales
Witness protection programs
Closing Remarks
I have published two articles in recent years regarding war and peace. The first article is entitled: “The United States of America: A Culture of War” (Marsella, A.J. [2012]. The United States of America: A “culture of war.” International Journal of Intercultural Research, 35, 714-728.This article documents the long history of war in the United States, and the American cultural ethos that has spawned and nurtured wars. The second article is a please for nonkilling and an end to violence. It is entitled “Nonkilling psychology and lifeism” (Marsella, A.J. (2011). Nonkilling psychology and lifeism. In J. Pim & D. Christie (Eds.) Nonkilling Psychology (pp. 361-378). Honolulu, Hi: Center for Global Non-Violence.). This article calls for humanity to move beyond unbridled national identities to an identity with life itself, the very force that animates our world and universe.
In both of these articles, and in this article, it is clear to me that we are headed for a “dreadful reckoning” (Grieder’s term) if we do not come to an awareness of the many sources and consequences of violence in our lives, particularly the perpetuation of “cultures of violence” that are sources of endless suffering, destruction, and death. The answer resides in the necessity of non-violent activism to prevent violence. This is the timeless answer of every great peacemaker.
*Originally published on TRANSCEND Media Service, November 9, 2012
Anthony Marsella, Ph.D., a member of the TRANSCEND Network, is a past president of Psychologists for Social Responsibility, emeritus professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii, and past director of the World Health Organization Psychiatric Research Center in Honolulu. He is known nationally and internationally as a pioneer figure in the study of culture and psychopathology who challenged the ethnocentrism and racial biases of many assumptions, theories, and practices in psychology and psychiatry. In more recent years, he has been writing and lecturing on peace and social justice. He has published 15 edited books, and more than 250 articles, chapters, book reviews, and popular pieces. He can be reached at marsella@hawaii.edu.
In the enticing elegiac Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery shares the following reflection (p. 107):
“Civilization is the mastery of violence, the triumph, constantly challenged, over the aggressive nature of primates. For primates we have been and primates we shall remain, however often we learn to find joy in a camellia on moss. This is the very purpose of education. What does education imply? One must offer camellias on moss, tirelessly, in order to escape the natural impulses of our species, because these impulses do not change, and continually threaten the fragile equilibrium of survival….In fact, when the struggle to dominate our primate aggressiveness takes up arms as powerful as books and words, the undertaking is an easy one…”
What do you think about Barbery’s words? Would you like to add anything?
In the enticing elegiac Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery shares the following reflection (p. 107):
