End the Cycle of Violence
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 23 Nov 2015
James Albertini – TRANSCEND Media Service
James “Jim” Albertiini
Mourn Those Killed In Paris and All Victims of Violence
18 Nov 2015 – The recent horrific violence in Paris, along with the ongoing wars in the Middle East with increasing numbers of refugees, and the growing reality of climate disaster, has brought our world’s crisis of violence to center stage. Together, let us mourn those killed in Paris and all victims of violence, but let us do more.
To break the cycle of violence, to save our world from total destruction, we must come to a new understanding, and we better do it fast. First, we must begin to see ourselves as we really are, not as we would like to think we are, and make changes accordingly for justice, peace, and planetary survival.
The U.S. likes to see itself as the “exceptional” nation, a bastion of freedom and democracy, the world’s benevolent “good guy.” Evil is out there in others – the terrorists. On the other hand, much of the world sees the U.S. (and its ally France) as a dangerous racist empire of domination out to exploit and control labor and resources to benefit corporate interests and a wealthy elite at the expense of the earth and everyone else. Thus the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, etc. with millions killed, wounded, and displaced. ISIS obviously sees itself as the “good guys” and the problem of evil focused in France, the US, etc. Both sides appear to agree – “by any means necessary.”
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “An eye-for-an-eye will only make the whole world blind.” My mother, and I’m sure yours too, said more than once that “two wrongs don’t make a right.” Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” Despite such words of wisdom, the hysteria of vengeance, fear, hate, and bombs are bursting all over. The cycle of violence is escalating. Violence is begetting more violence. Where will it end other than more bloodshed, chaos and total disaster?
One thing is clear. Revenge – more guns, bombs, suicide belts, drone strikes/terrorist attacks, assassinations, increased surveillance and discrimination, invasions, regime changes, illegal wars, rolling back civil rights and creating chaos, death and destruction is not the answer. Our violence is killing us and the earth we share.
Terrorism against terrorism is terrorism.
We can neither bomb our way to peace abroad, nor arm, shoot our way to safety at home. Martin Luther King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”
It’s time for restraint not vengeance. If we want to end the terror, we need to end the war on terror. Break the cycle of violence. Who knows what’s possible in a world beyond violence and the threat of violence. “If you want peace, work for justice. And in Hawaii we say – Live Aloha.”
Put an End to War! Only Justice & Love Can Fix Our Broken World!
- End these Wars Now!
- Aloha ‘Aina! Protect our Mother Earth!
- Ground the Drones! Say No to War!
- Mourn all victims of violence.
- Defend civil liberties.
- Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
- Seek peace by peaceful means through justice in Hawai’i and around the world.
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (Nov. 27, 2015 – 740th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office
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James Albertini is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace, Development and Environment, and director of Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action – P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760. Phone (+ 808) 966-7622 Email: ja@malu-aina.org Website: http://www.malu-aina.org/
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