The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. [from point 13]
Then, most interestingly, Brand calls for people to protest on behalf of the police, noting how police are caught up in the same repressive system as everyone else. Brand says that he has spoken with several police, who complain about awful pensions and the loss of their jobs to private security firms.
“The police force are our police force,” Brand says. “Is there a way for the police to be once more integrated into our communities?”
It’s worth thinking about Brand’s call-to-action in light of alay dangal, a Filippino term for active nonviolence that essentially means “to offer dignity.” It was with alay dangal that the Philippines People Power movement unraveled Marcos’ dictatorial regime. By offering soldiers food, water, and humanizing conversation, activists tipped the scales in the people’s favor. (more…)
Fast forward to last week, I woke up to my husband saying that a dear friend from Miami had just called to make sure we were OK after he heard about the Charleston M
assacre. I immediately went online to learn more.
I came across a local news site and began reading this horrific story about the nine local victims killed in Charleston’s oldest African American church. As I scrolled down to read the article, I came across a picture of the man from last November—Clementa Pinckney, the beloved reverend and senator. He was among the nine killed. My heart sank.
In November 2014, I was invited by The Sophia Institute of Charleston, SC and The Contemplative Alliance based out of New York City to join a small two-day gathering of interfaith leaders, environmental activists, and others to discuss ways to protect and care for Earth’s community of life. Clementa Pinckney was one of the interfaith leaders asked to speak. I was deeply moved by his message (his talk begins three minutes into the video), his presence, and his resonant voice. I was honored to be in this discussion and felt even more honored to have had time with him. I left there that day knowing I had met a new teacher and a great leader, and I looked forward to our next gathering. My regret is that I didn’t make it to one of his church services fast enough. I kept putting it off thinking I had plenty of time to engage.
As the founding director of The Global Media Center for Social Impact (GMI) at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health, Sandra de Castro Buffington passionately analyzes where mass media and positive social change meet.
I was curious about Sandra’s take on how mass media might play a role in creating nonviolent culture, so I interviewed her for the Summer 2015 issue of Emergence magazine (more on this below).
Sandra’s recent TEDWomen talk will inspire anyone seeking a deeper passion and purpose—or what she calls “super power.” (more…)
There was once a time when all human beings were Gods, but they so abused their divinity that Brahma, the chief God, decided to take it away from them and hide it.
But where will I hide it? Brahma thought.
So he called a council of the Gods to help him decide.
“Let’s bury it deep in the earth,” said the Gods.
But Brahma answered, “No, that will not do because humans will dig into the earth and find it.”
Then the Gods said, “Let’s sink it in the deepest ocean.” (more…)
But there is more. The conference was not only on restorative justice, it was on community and restorative justice. This underscores a theme I heard repeated throughout: that nurturing community is what drives members to protect it, preserve it, repair the harm and restore relationships when trust has been broken.
There are people who walk towards conflict who want to know peace, and…they don’t do it alone. They do it together, as a community, not only in the context of the criminal justice system, but also in the context of families, workplaces, schools and spiritual/religious congregations. (more…)
While going through my Dad’s estate last year, I came across a strange artifact I had never seen before—a large, carefully crafted, but empty, wooden spool for wire. It was dated “May ‘44”, and its gross, tare and net weights were measured and recorded by hand, as if its wire had been unusually valuable. Suddenly, one of my Dad’s stories came to life. The wire likely was silver.
When I was three days old, Dad was recruited as an engineer for a secret project. His job was helping separate isotopes of uranium. Early in 1944, he drove Mom and I from Berkeley, California, to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. His group was building an electromagnet the size of a “football field.”
Due to the war, copper wire was in short supply. Silver is an even better conductor. So they asked the federal government, “How much silver is in Fort Knox?” (more…)
I wrote the following letter for a student to be placed in her time capsule to open her senior year.
Dear Rebeca,
It has been fun getting to know you this year! It is so encouraging to see you work hard and strive for your future goals. I hope you keep playing soccer and make school records senior year! There are so many things running through my head right now, I don’t know where to start. So I guess I’ll start with you!
Know this: you are a bright, intelligent young lady who has the strength, confidence, and work ethic to succeed in life. I am certain you have grown into a mature, responsible young woman who works hard for the things that matter. Keep working hard and keep asking questions. Times will get rough, and you will struggle, but take it one step and one piece at a time and you’ll get there. Above all, keep your positive attitude, and your humility. Know that a bright smile and kind words can make all the difference in someone’s day. (more…)
