I’ve spent some time this weekend planning out the future of this online space.
I know changes will crop up along the way and that there’s no way to mapquest our way to the future, but it’s been fun to brainstorm things I’d like to see and write about here.
Some ideas I’ve been developing so far include:
- Open letters to the great peacemakers
- Stories that get us reflecting on our journeys to this journey
- Reflections on what this path requires or asks of us
- Posts that ask the hard questions about nonviolence and peacemaking
- Recurring features to share moments of love and places of repentance in our own lives
- Exploration of the theological underpinnings of nonviolence
- Review of cultural artifacts (books, movies, music) that move us toward nonviolence
- Ongoing definition of the subject
I thought it would be helpful to open this brainstorm up to the community. When you think about the subject of nonviolence, what haunts you? What excites you? What troubles you? What have you always wondered? What would help you along in your own journey?
Ultimately, my question to you is:
If you could put forth your own topics or questions to showcase in this space, what would they be?
Narratives. Specifically the cultural, spiritual, sociological and phychological narratives our lives begin to follow as Christians, Americans, those who are usually not in the position of being oppressed.
I have spent some time with homeless men and women lately and my heart cry to them is to “tell me your story!” And not just a “this happened and so I am here” but a story that gets to the root of where they are, who they are and what lies or inconsistencies began to push them into positions of being oppressed.
As I am writing this I am listening to Negro spirituals on Pandora and I love the spirituals for SO many reasons, but one reason is how it kept them focused on the cross and on the optimism that a future awaits that is better then this one. An entire narrative of HOPE and of FREEDOM was woven into the fabric of their society through them.
What makes them different then the oppressed of today? Is it worse, better?
Good thoughts, love this space my contemplative friend.
Great thoughts, Carl! Your mention of Negro spirituals had Kirk and I scouring YouTube for a while the other night. Do you have any that you would particularly recommend?
I hear you on the desire to hear people’s stories. I have similar desires, especially when there’s someone whose path I cross regularly. I’d love to hear more about the time you’ve spent with homeless men and women lately.
Christianne…
I’ve always been intrigued by the difference in attitudes between the things that keep us apart in our personal relationships, and the things that tend to be more systemic.
For example… John Lennon can sing to the whole world, ‘All You Need is Love’… but then can’t have a relationship with his son.
Is it easier at times to take on the challenges of violence at a larger systemic level than it is to handle the violence that can keep us apart in our own homes.
You ask such a great question here, Chadwick. I’ve noticed something similar, too. It makes me reflect on my own experiences … when longing for great peace in the world, how I am helping make peace in my own little life?
It makes me think, too, about how many great men and women in history have often been called to those great things at the expense of being near their families. Sometimes it was not a good thing for the family, yet the world was brought to a better place because of what they did. I was talking to Kirk recently about this, asking if that is the way God would really have it. I’m not sure what I think about that, but these are certainly questions worth exploring here. Thanks for adding your thoughts, friend.
Something that fits in with your fifth bullet point that I’d love to see is (for lack of a better term, since Little Bean is sucking out my brain cells at the moment) “non-violence success stories”: instances that readers have witnessed or experienced in which someone responds non-violently in a situation in which violence is the knee jerk reaction. I just keep thinking that it would be so helpful to have real life, concrete examples of how we can choose the loving response in our everyday lives … e.g., someone cut me off in traffic and instead of cursing them, flipping them off, or riding the tail of their car, I said a prayer for them. Whether mundane or profound, I’d love to hear how others experience this and live this out.
Amen, and amen, friend! This is exactly what I envisioned for that fifth bullet point of sharing stories about moments of love. I, too, would be so encouraged to host a regular place where we can all share our stories like this and, in the process, “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” I think you’re right that the work of nonviolence becomes more real when we share the grit and glory of its work in our daily lives.
The Battle of Jericho is a classic for imbuing a sense of hope. Listen close to the words, I love it!
Great video, Carl! It gives me goosebumps to think what these words would have been like for those subjected to slavery and looking forward in hope toward their freedom!
I think Kirsten said it all for me. That is probably my same thoughts on non-violence at the moment. It has made me reflect upon myself and how I treat others. I want to see myself practice these things in the “everyday me.”
I hear you, Tammy. Looking forward to seeing what emerges for all of us — encouragement, hope, inspiration, motivation — as we share stories together in this space.