Stay Focused In A Time of Hate

This morning two pieces that I saw caught my attention. One was a posting from Waging Nonviolence. It includes an article by George Lakey that all should read. Another was a brief article about Fred Ross, life long community organizer. That piece was posted by the Marginal Mennonite Society, a group I enjoy following. I've posted both of these below. They made me think about many things including nonviolence, community organizing and how critical it is for us to fight against the hate that has blossomed in the world. Here are some additional thoughts.

It's so important to take some time in this crazy world to revisit the importance of nonviolence and organizing to bring about much needed change. We are currently experiencing a political movement built on hate and punishment of vulnerable people, people of color, the poor and the marginalized. Anger levels are high. Making fun of the enemy is easy and sometimes satisfying. The fact is though that we are in another dangerous time that will require the courage of nonviolence and real community organizing. 

I, like others I'm sure, am discouraged by the hate I see on every side. People calling each other out, name calling, hate mongering, tit for tat, the terrible wasting of energy. Sadly, we lack movement leadership. But keep an eye on March for Our Lives and the young people involved. Keep an eye on Waging Nonviolence. 

After all of these years, I still believe in the principles of nonviolence and political movements that require great personal sacrifice to end hatred and killing. My advice for what it's worth, is to stay focused and committed to principals and values that support people. Know who the real enemy is. Fight for what's right but in the end be kind to people and the earth. Stand firm but don't participate in the hate. It will only help to destroy you in the end. And yes, help people and groups of people organize around community issues.

Here is the piece from Waging Nonviolence by George Lakey How Movements Build Strength Through Training

And here is the piece on Fred Ross from the Marginal Mennonite Society Hero Series:

Happy birthday, Fred Ross, Sr. (Aug. 23, 1910 - Sept. 27, 1992)! Community organizer. Activist and trainer of activists. In 1948, Fred founded the Community Service Organization (CSO) in California. He was a life-long neighborhood canvasser. He spent his career going door to door in poor communities, encouraging people to organize and fight for their rights. In June 1952, Ross knocked on the door of a 25-year-old Cesar Chavez in San Jose. Cesar was struggling to support his family with part-time work at a lumberyard. He later said of Fred: "He started talking, and changed my life." A few years later, Fred also trained Dolores Huerta, launching her on a lifetime of activism. Fred was friends with Woody Guthrie. He was a colleague of Saul Alinsky. As for his organizing work, he wasn't in it for money or fame. He died poor, spending his final years in a one-room cabin, living off Social Security checks. Quotable quote: "A good organizer is a social arsonist who goes around setting people on fire." Born in San Francisco, California. Died in San Rafael, California.
~The Marginal Mennonite Society Heroes Series.

Leaders - Watch Your Words!

                                                                           
There are leaders throughout our country They are politicians, educators, clergy, members of the media, CEOs, writers and more.

This is a plea as our country struggles with hatred, racism, violence and the death of innocents. Please, be cautious with your words. It doesn't matter your position or your political beliefs. This message is for Republicans, Democrats, Christians, Muslims and Jews. We expect reasonableness from you in times of crisis. We expect you to help us heal. We expect you to provide some level of direction and unification.

So watch your words. Be careful of deflections from facts and truth. Point out what you think got us to this point and please, please, please, offer some real solutions. Blaming a disease or blaming enemies helps no one. Let's recognize that all of our words can be taken seriously by someone who may be struggling with other issues. But let's also realize that the rhetoric of hate really has no place in the role of a leader.

Leaders - watch your words about immigrants, people of color, women, members of the LBGTQ community, about your rivals, competitors or perceived enemies. People depend on your views and your words so choose them very carefully. It's part of your job.

Here are some special words for Donald Trump who holds the most critical leadership position in the United States. Please, take a moment to reflect on what you have said and done relative to immigrants and people of color. Many people would like to hear you recognize that much of your language has been a terrible mistake and has been filled with hatred. Understand what people are feeling. Understand the anger and emotion.

We Reap What We Sow!

Let's be clear. Racism is being preached from the highest levels of the US Government. Hatred is being enabled by the silence and inaction of people who should know better. Talk of invasions by immigrants and chants of people going back to where they came from are encouraged. Humans are called illegals and families and children are held in cages. It has been stated by many others that Donald Trump has been playing with fire with his rhetoric and actions. Yes, he has and the fire is raging.

Statements about immigrants, people of color and different cultures or religions is not a mental health issue. These statements are methods that feed hate. Yes, we are dealing with domestic terrorism by white nationalists. It is time to recognize it and understand it. Violent language, hateful language, begets violence and hate.

It's time for all of us to speak up. It's time to fill the streets. It's time to counteract the hate, no matter where it comes from including on social media. Politicians and religious leaders have to be held accountable. Haters and hate groups need to be called out for who and what they are. We are reaping what has been sown by the hatred and the silence. It can't continue. We need to shame hateful leaders. We need to shame silent politicians. We need to shame white nationalists and racists. We need to shame domestic terrorists.