well, isn't that just lovely?
http://www.beloveforall.org/vision.html
"They call it civil disobedience, I call it divine obedience."
- Father Roy Bourgeois
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Independently Peaceful
Dear peace peeps ---
As far as how peace is relevant to Independence Day --- I haven't all peaced (hahaha) that together but some of the thoughts have to do with proclaiming independence from a tyrannical force that would tell me what to think, what to feel, whom and what to respect, whom and what to value, how to live my life, etc., without an equal measure of value and respect in return. There can be little peace in the presence of such injustice.
The very essence of the revolutionary movement was to stand for a greater truth in the face of oppression no matter the risk. It wasn't the battles after the Declaration that defines what we believe as a nation, nor what we value, but it was the Declaration itself which proposes that each person is FREE and INDEPENDENT, and as such, each person's opinion and value is inherently and "self-evidently" equal. It reads in the prologue of the Declaration that we must have, "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind" which is why what follows is all of the reasons why we must proclaim ourselves as independent from England.
The Declaration was not inherently a call to war -- it only became such because of the response of the Crown. And, as there have always been peaceful people who spoke and took action against the wars and battles that this nation has fought - who have believed that no matter the reason, there was inherent "wrong"ness in the picking up of arms against others, there were those who were against provoking England with such a declaration.
If anything, the Declaration and Independence Day itself was a model for our nation that we have rarely followed since, and did not do before (as some have mentioned the decimation of 12 million natives). We do not act rashly just for the sake of provocation. We act with insight, forethought, and deliberation - which is what many of us in the peace movement are simply proposing we continue to do in all situations.
Below is part of a blog that I wrote after last year's DOP Conference... and it's relevant to the question about Patriotism that I also have gone back and forth in my head and heart.
"So the day starts out pretty great. And then it just gets better. Marianne Williamson is the emcee of the conference. She's the founder of the Peace Alliance and she's warm, funny, uplifting, serious and passionate... and so much more. To kick off the morning, we get our first glimmer of what's really in store for us. Deep commitment from all the staff and leadership volunteers, and gratitude for each of us, thankfulness that we picked up the baton - in this marathon of justice, service, community, peace - and are running the race. Jimmy Demers opened up with a song dedicated to each of us... appropriately, "Let there be peace on earth."
"And then... to celebrate the deep love of our country we all share... he took our breath away with an awesome rendition of "America the Beautiful."
"And I want to talk about this for a moment - this idea of love of our country. I cannot speak for everyone, but I know that oftentimes the challenge for us in the peace movement is how to reconcile the accusations of hatred for our country, our leaders, our troops, with the truth that we are peacebuilders because of a deep, committed, mature and relevant love of our country, its flaws, its promise that remains, its ideals. For myself, it is also the wider, deeper view that the United States represents some sort of beacon of hope for the world, and how it will only be able to deliver on that promise if we each do our part.
"My analogy is this - it's like a high school is the U.S., and I think my high school is the best, winning at sports, academic achievement, social commitment, thinking that we that attend this high school are just generally more fun, more cool, etc. However, a deeper part of me realizes that just because I think my high school is great, that doesn't mean that I truly believe my high school gets to be the boss of every other high school. It doesn't mean that my high school deserves all the best, all the attention, all the resources available, and every other high school can just kiss our collective #**. See, I don't think that way about my high school, and I really don't think that way about my country. So we're here, living in a country - the luck of the draw as far as being our birthplace - and we're just part of the greater whole. All a part of the same earth that we all share.
"So, for myself, my commitment to the world, to the global community, is the broader picture of my commitment to my smaller community, my country. And I'll cry when the national anthem is played, I say the pledge of allegiance with sincerity... but who I am doesn't stop there. It can't. Before being a U.S. citizen, I am a world citizen. Just as it is that before being a member of my family, I am a member of the human family."
In peace,Bobbi Jo
If you want peace, work for justice.
PS --- I have an idea that a nonviolent, peaceful, civic disobedience dedication of the peace pole is the ultimate declaration of independence AND of living the model of peace. And how wonderful will it be to stand in respect and love later at others celebrate Independence Day in their way?
“There is nothing wrong with a traffic law which says you have to stop for a red light,” wrote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his book The Trumpet of Conscience. “But when a fire is raging, the fire truck goes right through that red light…"
"Or when a [person] is bleeding to death, the ambulance goes through those red lights at top speed… Disinherited people all over the world are bleeding to death from deep social and economic wounds. They need brigades of ambulance drivers who will have to ignore the red lights of the present system until the emergency is solved. Massive civil disobedience is a strategy for social change which is at least as forceful as an ambulance with its siren on full."
What do y'all think?
As far as how peace is relevant to Independence Day --- I haven't all peaced (hahaha) that together but some of the thoughts have to do with proclaiming independence from a tyrannical force that would tell me what to think, what to feel, whom and what to respect, whom and what to value, how to live my life, etc., without an equal measure of value and respect in return. There can be little peace in the presence of such injustice.
The very essence of the revolutionary movement was to stand for a greater truth in the face of oppression no matter the risk. It wasn't the battles after the Declaration that defines what we believe as a nation, nor what we value, but it was the Declaration itself which proposes that each person is FREE and INDEPENDENT, and as such, each person's opinion and value is inherently and "self-evidently" equal. It reads in the prologue of the Declaration that we must have, "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind" which is why what follows is all of the reasons why we must proclaim ourselves as independent from England.
The Declaration was not inherently a call to war -- it only became such because of the response of the Crown. And, as there have always been peaceful people who spoke and took action against the wars and battles that this nation has fought - who have believed that no matter the reason, there was inherent "wrong"ness in the picking up of arms against others, there were those who were against provoking England with such a declaration.
If anything, the Declaration and Independence Day itself was a model for our nation that we have rarely followed since, and did not do before (as some have mentioned the decimation of 12 million natives). We do not act rashly just for the sake of provocation. We act with insight, forethought, and deliberation - which is what many of us in the peace movement are simply proposing we continue to do in all situations.
Below is part of a blog that I wrote after last year's DOP Conference... and it's relevant to the question about Patriotism that I also have gone back and forth in my head and heart.
"So the day starts out pretty great. And then it just gets better. Marianne Williamson is the emcee of the conference. She's the founder of the Peace Alliance and she's warm, funny, uplifting, serious and passionate... and so much more. To kick off the morning, we get our first glimmer of what's really in store for us. Deep commitment from all the staff and leadership volunteers, and gratitude for each of us, thankfulness that we picked up the baton - in this marathon of justice, service, community, peace - and are running the race. Jimmy Demers opened up with a song dedicated to each of us... appropriately, "Let there be peace on earth."
"And then... to celebrate the deep love of our country we all share... he took our breath away with an awesome rendition of "America the Beautiful."
"And I want to talk about this for a moment - this idea of love of our country. I cannot speak for everyone, but I know that oftentimes the challenge for us in the peace movement is how to reconcile the accusations of hatred for our country, our leaders, our troops, with the truth that we are peacebuilders because of a deep, committed, mature and relevant love of our country, its flaws, its promise that remains, its ideals. For myself, it is also the wider, deeper view that the United States represents some sort of beacon of hope for the world, and how it will only be able to deliver on that promise if we each do our part.
"My analogy is this - it's like a high school is the U.S., and I think my high school is the best, winning at sports, academic achievement, social commitment, thinking that we that attend this high school are just generally more fun, more cool, etc. However, a deeper part of me realizes that just because I think my high school is great, that doesn't mean that I truly believe my high school gets to be the boss of every other high school. It doesn't mean that my high school deserves all the best, all the attention, all the resources available, and every other high school can just kiss our collective #**. See, I don't think that way about my high school, and I really don't think that way about my country. So we're here, living in a country - the luck of the draw as far as being our birthplace - and we're just part of the greater whole. All a part of the same earth that we all share.
"So, for myself, my commitment to the world, to the global community, is the broader picture of my commitment to my smaller community, my country. And I'll cry when the national anthem is played, I say the pledge of allegiance with sincerity... but who I am doesn't stop there. It can't. Before being a U.S. citizen, I am a world citizen. Just as it is that before being a member of my family, I am a member of the human family."
In peace,Bobbi Jo
If you want peace, work for justice.
PS --- I have an idea that a nonviolent, peaceful, civic disobedience dedication of the peace pole is the ultimate declaration of independence AND of living the model of peace. And how wonderful will it be to stand in respect and love later at others celebrate Independence Day in their way?
“There is nothing wrong with a traffic law which says you have to stop for a red light,” wrote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his book The Trumpet of Conscience. “But when a fire is raging, the fire truck goes right through that red light…"
"Or when a [person] is bleeding to death, the ambulance goes through those red lights at top speed… Disinherited people all over the world are bleeding to death from deep social and economic wounds. They need brigades of ambulance drivers who will have to ignore the red lights of the present system until the emergency is solved. Massive civil disobedience is a strategy for social change which is at least as forceful as an ambulance with its siren on full."
What do y'all think?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, November 9, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Natural Highs
Think about them one at a time before going on to the next one. It Does Make You Feel Good, especially the thought at the end of 44.
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4 No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry ).
12 A bubble bath.
13 Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach.
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
26. Your first kiss (the very first).
27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
28. Playing with a new puppy.
29. Having someone play with your hair.
30. Sweet dreams.
31. Hot chocolate.
32. Road trips with friends.
33. Swinging on swings.
34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
35. Making chocolate chip cookies.
36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
37. Holding hands with someone you care about.
38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
40. Watching the sunrise.
41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
42. Knowing that somebody misses you.
43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4 No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry ).
12 A bubble bath.
13 Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach.
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
26. Your first kiss (the very first).
27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
28. Playing with a new puppy.
29. Having someone play with your hair.
30. Sweet dreams.
31. Hot chocolate.
32. Road trips with friends.
33. Swinging on swings.
34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
35. Making chocolate chip cookies.
36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
37. Holding hands with someone you care about.
38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
40. Watching the sunrise.
41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
42. Knowing that somebody misses you.
43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Clowning with racism
Nazi's out of Knoxville!
Wife Power!
Knoxville rejects Nazis and Klan.Saturday May 26th the VNN Vanguard Nazi/KKK group attempted to host a hate rally to try to take advantage of the brutal murder of a white couple for media and recruitment purposes. http://www.volunteertv.com/special.
Wife Power!
Knoxville rejects Nazis and Klan.Saturday May 26th the VNN Vanguard Nazi/KKK group attempted to host a hate rally to try to take advantage of the brutal murder of a white couple for media and recruitment purposes. http://www.volunteertv.com/special.
Unfortunately for them the 100th ARA (Anti Racist Action) clown block came and handed them their asses by making them appear like the asses they were.Alex Linder the founder of VNN and the lead organizer of the rally kicked off events by rushing the clowns in a fit of rage, and was promptly arrested by 4 Knoxville police officers who dropped him to the ground when he resisted and dragged him off past the red shiny shoes of the clowns.
"White Power!” the Nazi’s shouted, “White Flour?” the clowns yelled back running in circles throwing flour in the air and raising separate letters which spelt “White Flour”.
“White Power!” the Nazi’s angrily shouted once more, “White flowers?” the clowns cheers and threw white flowers in the air and danced about merrily.
“White Power!” the Nazi’s tried once again in a doomed and somewhat funny attempt to clarify their message, “ohhhhhh!” the clowns yelled, "Tight Shower!” and held a solar shower in the air and all tried to crowd under to get clean as per the Klan’s directions.
At this point several of the Nazi’s and Klan members began clutching their hearts as if they were about to have a heart attack. Their beady eyes bulged, and the veins in their tiny narrow foreheads beat in rage. One last time they screamed “White Power!”
The clown women thought they finally understood what the Klan was trying to say. “Ohhhhh…” the women clowns said. “Now we understand…”, “WIFE POWER!” they lifted the letters up in the air, grabbed the nearest male clowns and lifted them in their arms and ran about merrily chanting “WIFE POWER! WIFE POWER! WIFE POWER!”
It was at this point that several observers reported seeing several Klan members heads exploding in rage and they stopped trying to explain to the clowns what they wanted.
Apparently the clowns fundamentally misunderstood the nature of the rally, they believed it was a clown rally and came in force to support their pointy hated brethren. To their dismay, despite their best jokes and stunts and pratfalls the Nazis and Klan refused to laugh, and indeed became enraged at the clowns misunderstanding and constant attempts to interpret the clowns instruction.
The clowns on the other hand had a great time and thought the Nazis were the funniest thing they had ever seen and the loud laughter of over 100 counter protesters greeted every attempt of the Nazis and Klan to get their message out, whatever that was.
Many of the local Knoxvillians that came to counter demonstrate had no illusions about why these out of state bad clowns with swastikas were doing in their town.
“KKK YOU CAN’T HIDE, WE CHARGE YOU WITH GENOCIDE!”
“GAY, STRAIGHT, BLACK, WHITE ONE STRUGGLE ONE FIGHT!”
“U.G.L.Y. KLAN YOU AIN’T GOT NO ALIBI, YOU UGLY, YOU UGLY”
Were just a few of the chants that the non clown counter protesters rained down upon the Nazis. The clowns interacted with the non clown protesters with glee and even participated in a chant or two, though apparently with no idea that the Nazis were indeed not clowns thinking it was just part of the show.
In the end the 20 or so sad VNNers left with their tails between their legs. At this point over 150 counter demonstraters were present. The clowns seeing how dejected and sad the Nazi’s looked began singing to cheer them up.
“hey hey hey hey, ho ho ho ho—good bye, good bye” everyone sang waving their arms in the air in unison.
After the VNNers left in their shiny SUVs to go back to Alabama and all the other states that they were from the clowns and counter demonstrators began to march out of the area chanting ‘WHOSE STREETS? OUR STREETS!”
But the cops stopped the clowns and counter protestors. “Hey, do you want an escort” an African-American police officer on a motorcycle asked. “Yes” a clown replied. “We are walking to Market Square in the center of town to celebrate.”
The police officers got in front of the now anti racist parade and blocked the entire road for the march through the heart of Knoxville. An event called imagination station was taking place and over 15,000 thousand students and their parents were in town that weekend. Many of them cheered as the clowns, Knoxvillians and counter protestors marched through the heart of Knoxville singing and laughing at the end of the Nazi’s first attempt at having a rally in Knoxville.
On June 16th the Stormfront Nazis are trying to have a second rally in Knoxville. Clowns, anarchist, activist and others are all invited to come and creatively and nonviolently help us confront these Nazis and give them an even bigger counter rally than the first. If you can come, or can help email.
knoxvilleantiracistaction@yahoo.com
or join our myspace at:
http://www.myspace.com/knoxvilleantiracistaction
Thanks to Three Rivers Earth First!, Mountain Justice Summer, Katuah Earth First!, Knoxville Anti Racist Action, Katuah Anti Racist Action and the clown block for utterly wrecking the failed attempt of the Nazis to get a foothold in Knoxville. In one day Three Rivers Earth First!ers posted over 1000 anti racist fliers all over Knoxville recruiting people to come, this is just one example of all the work and effort that went in to creatively and nonviolently rejecting the VNNers out of Knoxville.
Related Link: http://www.myspace.com/knoxvilleantiracistaction
“KKK YOU CAN’T HIDE, WE CHARGE YOU WITH GENOCIDE!”
“GAY, STRAIGHT, BLACK, WHITE ONE STRUGGLE ONE FIGHT!”
“U.G.L.Y. KLAN YOU AIN’T GOT NO ALIBI, YOU UGLY, YOU UGLY”
Were just a few of the chants that the non clown counter protesters rained down upon the Nazis. The clowns interacted with the non clown protesters with glee and even participated in a chant or two, though apparently with no idea that the Nazis were indeed not clowns thinking it was just part of the show.
In the end the 20 or so sad VNNers left with their tails between their legs. At this point over 150 counter demonstraters were present. The clowns seeing how dejected and sad the Nazi’s looked began singing to cheer them up.
“hey hey hey hey, ho ho ho ho—good bye, good bye” everyone sang waving their arms in the air in unison.
After the VNNers left in their shiny SUVs to go back to Alabama and all the other states that they were from the clowns and counter demonstrators began to march out of the area chanting ‘WHOSE STREETS? OUR STREETS!”
But the cops stopped the clowns and counter protestors. “Hey, do you want an escort” an African-American police officer on a motorcycle asked. “Yes” a clown replied. “We are walking to Market Square in the center of town to celebrate.”
The police officers got in front of the now anti racist parade and blocked the entire road for the march through the heart of Knoxville. An event called imagination station was taking place and over 15,000 thousand students and their parents were in town that weekend. Many of them cheered as the clowns, Knoxvillians and counter protestors marched through the heart of Knoxville singing and laughing at the end of the Nazi’s first attempt at having a rally in Knoxville.
On June 16th the Stormfront Nazis are trying to have a second rally in Knoxville. Clowns, anarchist, activist and others are all invited to come and creatively and nonviolently help us confront these Nazis and give them an even bigger counter rally than the first. If you can come, or can help email.
knoxvilleantiracistaction@yahoo.com
or join our myspace at:
http://www.myspace.com/knoxvilleantiracistaction
Thanks to Three Rivers Earth First!, Mountain Justice Summer, Katuah Earth First!, Knoxville Anti Racist Action, Katuah Anti Racist Action and the clown block for utterly wrecking the failed attempt of the Nazis to get a foothold in Knoxville. In one day Three Rivers Earth First!ers posted over 1000 anti racist fliers all over Knoxville recruiting people to come, this is just one example of all the work and effort that went in to creatively and nonviolently rejecting the VNNers out of Knoxville.
Related Link: http://www.myspace.com/knoxvilleantiracistaction
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Seeds of Peace...
The tagline is good copy, that's for sure. But I wonder if such good work and process must forever remain in the realm of charitable fundraising to support the curriculum? I wonder. Especially, as it's own website says...
Seeds of Peace: An International Model
Due to its proven impact and success in the Middle East, Seeds of Peace has earned international recognition as an effective model for resolving conflict worldwide.
http://www.seedsofpeace.org/
So the tagline is more about -- really I don't know -- since, if it is educating youth with life skills imperative to the development of compassion, respect, and skills -- shouldn't that be EXACTLY what an empowered citizenry and government that recognizes the inherent value and equality of every human being be determined to do?
Until we realize this... and perhaps until the founders of this organization do also... keep up the good work and let's figure out how we reconcile the promise of the United States with the delivery of that promise.
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