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What can we do today to oppose global atrocities and violence?
Last edited Mon Aug 4, 2014, 07:11 PM - Edit history (1)
it isn't just the crisis in the middle east - horrible things are occurring all over the world!
to end my own nightmares of insignificance, i am committing to act against the atrocious genocides, bombing, maiming, raping, and pillaging of innocents going on around the world.
today i begin sending a ripple of compassion, dignity, respect for the victims of the ongoing terror and violence in the middle east and elsewhere. honestly, i am upset by ALL of it EVERYWHERE and on every continent - including the disrespect for all creation and the earth.
intent is everything when affecting change. ripples can become waves of nonviolence across the world. the intent of my action is to honor and respect the dignity and sanctity of those suffering in war torn areas. i see the whole picture. human actions of violence and hate have escalated and are perpetuating on many levels. it must stop now.
i commit to doing the following and anyone may also act as an individual who has similar concerns and who is willing to contribute a ripple of change ~ anytime:
# for one hour - one can observe an intentional silence and respect for the suffering and the dead on both sides of violence.
# for one day - one can abstain from purchasing items - other than those needed in cases of emergency or medical supplies.
# for one week - one can turn off the lights in the evening. one may interpret the significance of this action accordingly. for me, it symbolizes acknowledgment of those who are suffering for lack of common needs. and to bullies it says, nope, tonight you do not get my $$.
it seems too many leaders across the world have priorities far above preserving the sanctity and dignity of humanity on this planet. rather than act in the best interests of humanity or responsible utilization of the earth's "resources", they obfuscate, lie, and perpetuate violence on innocent people, animals of the land and sea, and the earth for money and to "prove a point". as symbols of obliteration, missiles, fracking, and gigantic mechanical earth movers come to mind.
perhaps a withholding of our dollars spent on electricity, fuel, and shopping may speak to them.
i do not understand the karma that is being played out ~ but, the unending attacks on innocent children, the disabled, and the elders - and all living things along with the withholding of water and basic human rights by bullies on every continent reflect the very behaviors that have destroyed civilizations.
anyone can join me to create a ripple of compassion and nonviolence - at least with intention and awareness.
peace, hopemountain
#one hour, one day, one week
#ripples
"never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~ margaret mead
feel free to copy this post and share
p.s. to those who are particular about grammar: i was taught no one thing is above another. everyone and everything has a part and those parts are all of equal value. we cannot have one without the other. thus, the lower case.
7 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
I like that.
Acting together, even though we may be far apart in physical reality--is a powerful tool and ease of communication gives us more possibilities for using that tool effectively.
For those who think symbolic protests and vigils don't change things--can we put aside our collective cynicism --born of experience--and see it as a starting point, an impulse to action rather than ignoring?
In the face of the global horrors we are witnessing can we imagine something better, can we send forth a conscious projection for new and better solutions? Can we restrict our consumption to send a strong message to the political and corporate entities that pit us against each other for their own gain? Can we tell them we have had enough of this insanity? How do we dismantle the war-making machine that defines our own national intentions?
One thing we know-- these wars, these unspeakable acts of violence in this country and around the world, these atrocities of human against human--these are the ways of our barbaric past. These ways are holding us all back and hurting all of us, as we watch helplessly while others suffer needlessly.
How do we create a new future? How do we change this negative and primitive behavior? We start where we are.
Thank you hopemountain.
I found this on the net and I thought it a useful site for explaining the concepts of non-violent resistance. Gives an overview and Gandhi's position is explained well.
Non-violence--an introduction:
http://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/seasia/whatis/book.php?style=pfv#intro
1. Introduction
"People try nonviolence for a week, and when it 'doesn't work' they go back to violence, which hasn't worked for centuries."
-Theodore Roszak
In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people around the world who have taken part in nonviolent political action. It is clear, however, that there is considerable debate about the precise meaning of nonviolence. For some, nonviolent action is an expedient technique for dealing with conflict or bringing about social change; for others, nonviolence is a moral imperative or even a way of life.
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Along with Aldous Huxley, who claimed that "Good ends ... can only be achieved by the employment of appropriate means", and that "The end cannot justify the means, for the simple reason that the means employed determine the nature of the ends produced" (Huxley, 1938, p.9), Gandhi maintained that "The means may be likened to a seed, the end to a tree: and there is just the same inviolable connection between the means and the end as there is between the seed and the tree" (Gandhi, 1961, p. 10). He added that "They say "Means are after all means." I would say, "means are after all everything." As the means so the ends. There is no wall of separation between means and ends" (Young India, 17 July, 1924), and, "if one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself" (Harijan, 11 February, 1939).
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More at link
Non-violence--an introduction:
http://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/seasia/whatis/book.php?style=pfv#intro
1. Introduction
"People try nonviolence for a week, and when it 'doesn't work' they go back to violence, which hasn't worked for centuries."
-Theodore Roszak
In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people around the world who have taken part in nonviolent political action. It is clear, however, that there is considerable debate about the precise meaning of nonviolence. For some, nonviolent action is an expedient technique for dealing with conflict or bringing about social change; for others, nonviolence is a moral imperative or even a way of life.
-----------
Along with Aldous Huxley, who claimed that "Good ends ... can only be achieved by the employment of appropriate means", and that "The end cannot justify the means, for the simple reason that the means employed determine the nature of the ends produced" (Huxley, 1938, p.9), Gandhi maintained that "The means may be likened to a seed, the end to a tree: and there is just the same inviolable connection between the means and the end as there is between the seed and the tree" (Gandhi, 1961, p. 10). He added that "They say "Means are after all means." I would say, "means are after all everything." As the means so the ends. There is no wall of separation between means and ends" (Young India, 17 July, 1924), and, "if one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself" (Harijan, 11 February, 1939).
----------
More at link
I know that most Americans don't support torturers and terrorists, but our government does. And our government is driven far too much by the corporate interests, who have no concern for democracy, unless it is a 'democracy' installed and protected by our CIA and military, who have become too much an agressor to seize and protector of American 'interests,' a handy euphemism that tends to mean: Somebody's bottom line. Our recent history is littered with tyrants that we've supported in the interest of cheap oil or labor or other 'resource' that some corporatist determined was in "our" interest.
Avatar was actually kind of a lame, formulaic movie, but the central story of it is being played out now, around the world, and here's a hint: we're not the good guys.
