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.