Revised January 14, 2009. I have just gotten off the phone with my friend and colleague Oren Yiftachel, a co-founder, with Dr. Eyad El Sarraj of Gaza, of the Faculty for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Prof. Yiftachel lives and works in Beer-Sheva, which is within range of the Qassam rockets coming from Gaza. Yet when I asked… read more
Posts by Prof. Michael Nagler
The Death of Consumerism — or Humanity
A bit over thirty years ago I was listening to the news of the Jonestown massacre in Guyana, where 900 Americans committing suicide and murder, in some cases on their own children, at the behest of a deranged ‘charismatic’ cultist promising them rewards in Heaven. Memories of this shock came back to me in an… read more
From Meltdown to Miracle
This year we had a particularly good apple crop, more than we could eat in any form, so when we found ourselves between crops for our staples (kale and chard), we took a bushel or two of granny smiths and winesaps down to the nearby community-supported farm, and traded. The aroma of fresh wine saps… read more
On the ‘sea change’ of November, 2008
An old gospel song kept running through my mind as I was driving home last night: The long night it is ending, The long night it is ending, The long night it is ending, Day is a-breaking in my soul. Amid the euphoria, I did detect a cause for concern in the reports that I’ve… read more
Voluntary Simplicity
This is a golden opportunity to try some voluntary simplicity. As described in our latest blog post, Form Meltdown to ‘Miracle’, the faltering of the global economy — some say, of capitalism itself — makes this a time like no other to buy less, ‘plant calories,’ turn to renewables wherever possible, and in general build… read more
Our Job
Our job as leaders of the Progressive revolution is to create a secure, dry, inviting stepping stone for people in the middle of a raging stream. The world is tottering, like a person trying to reach safety on stones that are far apart, under the surface, and slippery. We need to build one for them… read more
Reaching Out
Reaching out to those who disagree with us is challenging, but vitally necessary. Give it a try. Have a friendly discussion with someone who doesn’t ‘get’ nonviolence. They’re in the majority, after all! Practice separating the person from the ideas — a critical skill for satyagrahis. Take note of points where you need to marshall… read more
Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking
October 17th & 18th at Christian Brothers University, Memphis TN. Speakers will include Fr. Roy Bourgeois, Amy Goodman, and Metta’s Michael Nagler. For full information go to www.gandhikingconference.org.… read more
Successful Gandhi tour concluded
We have posted a few of the many photos of the recently completed Gandhi tour.… read more
Awakening the Conscience of Nuclear Scientists
Chelsea Collonge The Power of Nonviolence: Something to Chew On Reflections on the Fast for a Nuclear-Free UC (Note: this article will also appear in the student journal, PeacePower) From May 9-17, 2007, more than 40 individuals at four University of California campuses conducted the “No More Nukes In Our Name!” Hunger Strike. Through this… read more
