Why Act for Peace?
I know of no greater cause a person can work for; knowledge may be power, but a smart person without a heart is a dangerous person. Can you name a few current that are world leaders? To me, these are some of the most dangerous individuals in society. Then we have the fanatics, from all countries and races and religions; their belief system (and heart) does not extend beyond this - ask an active Nazi, militant racist, the small terrorist groups in our societies. I feel they are more 'screwed up in their heads' than intentionally evil. What's the difference between these two? The first group acts on greed, either to gain wealth or power, at any expense to others. The second group is simply nuts? :) To hate person because of color... to me, in the dark we all look the same. This second group has been taught to hate, in the name of race or religion, and until the hatred is stopped, it will continue causing harm.
We talk of 'peace' sometimes as if it is overseas somewhere, but peace truly begins in the small communities, with each person. America does not need to go to other countries to find the reasons behind war; looking at my own small town, I can find racism, sexism, age discrimination, religious distrust, fanatics and power players. This isn't changed by ignoring it, any more than ignoring cancer makes it go away. Much of this stems from fear and ignorance. Sure, every group has a few bad people, but from this you cannot judge the larger group. We'd all be in trouble, because there is a bad teacher, a bad politician, a bad doctor... a bad church leader, a bad teen, a bad mother... a bad police officer, a bad judge, a bad employer; if we are judged by their behavior, then who is left that is good? If we participate in these destructive beliefs, then we are part of the cancer and help it grow. But if we share with each other in our daily lives, show respect and caring, then... :) For me, this is the start of working for peace.
So in small ways, I have been working for 'peace' for many years. When I had the opportunity, I shared my thoughts with others. One of the greatest rewards was having about 20 teens that called me 'Mom' when I waitressed. I served their food with a mini-lecture, scolded them on homework, discussed relationships and parenting and religion, even talked economics and cars. I cared about all of them, and showed them simple respect as individuals. Just to compare this, my manager didn't like them as a whole, and wanted to set a 'table charge' only for teens - like this isn't age discrimination! I worked bar rush too, when the 'adults' came in. Many were drunk, rowdy, smelly, aggressive, rude. I know who I'd prefer to serve! I never did understand the people that came straight from church either, and acted like they should be treated special in the crowd, while others were made to wait; most churches teach tolerance and caring. Some people... I don't try to talk to.
Few people justify the killing or injury of children and families, and if it were our children, our families... we would not glibly say, 'civilian casualties'. To me, these are 'our' children, 'our sisters and brothers'. We are all pretty much the same, with the same desires. We want happy, healthy families, a good home, a good night's sleep Tell me which son or daughter you would gladly sacrifice for oil, or power, or money; for revenge or protection or glory. War should always be the last option, the same as amputation; it should never be taken lightly, or in an unjust cause. I do believe our actions come back to us eventually, either as a society or as an individual.
But then... What is Peace?
I only have my own definition to offer. If peace were simply lack of fighting, we can achieve it quite readily by destroying life on earth - then there will be a floating rock at peace. For me, it becomes a broader concept. This concept is one where fear and hatred are replaced by respect and caring, where differences in faith and cultures is accepted. This begins at home and in the community, and encompasses the world. Society as a whole regulates acceptable limits according to the individuals within it.
And I believe America has struggled through many issues towards this goal - from racism to women's rights to child abuse, there are many laws addressing these issues. Yet as long as fear and hatred and lack of respect exist, these crimes (as our society perceives them) will continue. It is not okay to kill another unless - attacked. On a global scale, we need to carry these beliefs to any country we visit; we must respect the cultural differences, while maintaining our own integrity.
So peace is a state of mutual respect and caring, where we attempt to help and understand, rather than harm each other. Peace at home, peace in the community, peace in the world. There's enough natural disasters we can face together, rather than creating man-made destruction. It encourages thought and responsibility, self-protection when it is necessary. But fear and hate are not conquered with fear and hate, they feed each other. Try cleaning dirt with mud, it is as effective.
Recent picture from Palestine - I worked with this picture to share the consequences of war - just one 'civilian casualty'.... if tears are prayers, then I have prayed long for this child & his/her family