What is the path to peace?
I find what is happening in the US so deeply disturbing.
Whilst it is a different issue than what we experienced during the conflict in Northern Ireland, it has echoes as we witness the powers of the state abuse civilians.
I remember regularly driving through a small village in Northern Ireland called Toome where, painted on a wall was a mural that stated,
“When those who are the law
Break the law
In the name of the law
There is no law.”
I’ve reflected on that mural countless times over the years. I can understand the logic, the flow and especially the sentiment. However, it’s also a scary place to go to as the ultimate result is anarchy and war. Having no law can result in a mindless dog-eat-dog mentality. Life becomes cheap very quickly.
The challenge therefore is to think creatively about the alternative. What is the alternative to meeting force with force? Is there a path to peace that isn’t strewn with bodies and littered with burnt out tanks? Can peace build peace?
This is a sincere question for me as I am struggling to see the long term impact of peaceful, nonviolent protest.
For example, has the life and work of MLK been wasted? When we observe what is happening in the US, it’s easy to question if that movement has made any difference. Whilst MLK is a beautiful icon of so many good and great things, it seems that the system has thrown him to the ground and stood on his neck in the same way it stood on George Floyd’s.
I’m exhausted listening to leaders who use their power to protect their own interests. I am so tired of war and violence. Of the dismissive nods toward justice. I yearn for goodness and peace and, at the moment, I am struggling to see the path to peace.
I have a friend who has poured his life into the work of peace building. He’s a guy I love. I spoke with him about this and he said, “It’s the act of resisting injustice without mirroring injustice, nor fight or flight but the building of peace through peace, that sets both the oppressed and oppressors free.”
Whilst this thought warms my heart and resonates with my core, I am sometimes not sure it’s enough.
What do you think?
Founder of TOWARD, CSO at Hoolr & soon-to-be author ?? ??
4 年I liked these words from my friend Dave Magee. Found them helpful. ...I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"....Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. - MLK ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’
GTM @ Runway
4 年Thanks for sharing your perspective JP, very interesting, I hope your friend is right.
Bringing the best out of leaders and teams.
4 年Great reflections.
CEO/C Suite Executive & Team Coach
4 年Great question. Maybe it just hasn’t been enough....yet. It still can be.