No Peace. No Justice

The tragic experiences recently in Dallas TX, Baton Rouge LA and Falcon Heights MN has spurned a heightened feeling that perhaps we are on a path toward social collapse.

We are now marching in the streets and shouting about inequalities. We all know that inequalities exist. In the Vietnam War era I was among the Protesters and marched also calling for peace and justice. I never saw the contradiction of protesting for peace while engaging in the violence of shutting down streets and schools and complicating lives. Nothing much has changed today.

When the sun sets there will be calls for new social programs to solve the problems of inequality. The truth is that the solutions of inequality are never found within social programs as good as they may be.

Our problems are more fundamental, grounded in basic human issues of self.  We all need to find place, the sense of belonging, mutual acceptance as equal members of our community.  The sense of ‘belonging’ is the nurturing place for community justice.

It is not ‘Just’ that police must fear for their lives when they stop a vehicle or detain an individual.  Likewise, It is not ‘Just’ that the citizen must fear for his or her life when stopped or detained by police. Surely we can agree with that.

Fear can lead us to do the most absurd things. Fear is the emotion we feel when our sense of personal self worth and respect are threatened.  We want respect. Its tough to extend respect when we don’t trust each other.

We are not addressing a Race War.  There is only one race.  The human race.  The pigment of one’s skin has nothing to do with race. How refreshing it will be when all music and discourse reflects this.

In spite of protestations, we are all capable of doing what the ‘cop’ does out of fear or reprisal. In spite of protestations we are also capable of behaving like the angry, wayward citizen whose behavior defies comprehension. There is always danger that we will use the arrogance of our power to shut down a street or fire a weapon. It becomes increasingly possible when we feel disconnected from our community and seek haven in vengeful anger and self righteousness.

One clear message from these ongoing tragedies is that we, together need to find a better way to police our communities.  Our Police Officers should not be at risk in their daily activities as they seek to serve. Likewise, we should not fear our police.  We all need respect for our respective roles in the community. There is a better way and we can find it together.

The non violent protests of the ‘Mothers of the Disappeared’ eventually exposed and transformed the governance of Argentina. The Guatemala experience had similar results.  The silent marches and protestations became deafening and powerful. The actions led to discussions and Commissions and meaningful dialog and change.  A silent march or candlelight vigil promoting ways to work together to build a better community will ultimately move us miles further ahead than physical group protest.  At heart, it cries out for us to come together to respect each other as members of the human race – and to find a better way.

Someone once gave this advice:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other. ..put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need…Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Whoever wrote this was of the opinion that we are to look out for each other. Not just ourselves.  This would be a constructive place to begin our dialog with each other to build a safe and just America. Peace to you.