Hi all,
Recently I made a reference to a Native American historical archive that was
lost in the fires last week; some context and details are here:
https://www.migizi.org/
https://www.migizi.org/post/loss-of-home
https://www.nativebusinessmag.com/migizi-set-on-fire-during-minneapolis-protests-despite-flames-we-as-a-community-burn-brighter/
I don't know how this microcosm can or should influence the debate around
peaceful v. non-peaceful means for change. Some say peaceful hasn't worked and
must be jettisoned; some say non-peaceful causes too much pointless damage and
empowers the forces of reaction. I don't think anyone knows exactly what will
cause what in the course of human events, much less in the present highly
uncertain environment.
Admittedly, my own right to call for peaceful change may be zero due to my
lifelong white privilege. However, whatever right I do have to call for peace
I'd like to use. We sometimes underestimate the power of peaceful means and
overestimate the power of non-peaceful. But everyone will decide these
questions for themselves, possibly in communication with others and possibly
not.
Maybe the symbolism of fire, the most terrifying of recent events here (because
aside from the horrific murder of George Floyd, further loss of life and injury
to persons does not appear to have been great), has relevance. Migizi was
burned by accident so to speak. Yet still, the archives were lost. My
perspective on this loss is worth zero or virtually zero compared to the
statement by the organization itself. Nevertheless, does not the very
existence of such an organization suggest that the community that built it does
support to some extent peaceful change? Who knows what the right balance of
peaceful vs. non-peaceful is. We each have to reckon with our own value system
and conscience on such questions.
By peace I do not mean status quo or acquiescence to injustice, nor do the many
communities calling for peaceful change. The murder of Mr. Floyd was extreme
violence on all levels, and was only one visible example of such violence. The
institutional violence against people of color and against the economically
disadvantaged must also end.
All this is happening, of course, within a fabric of other global collapses
relating to Covid-19, economic production, and climate change. Some are asking
how peaceful change can possibly make any headway at all on these seemingly
unavoidable catastrophes when each multiplies the other so drastically.
Perhaps it can, perhaps it cannot.
Some characteristics of a possible path of peaceful change that can work
effectively may be as follows:
* A different tone of political rhetoric from the current US
administration. Four years of incendiary rhetoric does add up.
* Work by civil society to produce the kind of healing communication not
provided by the administration.
* Concrete actions related to legal reform, policing reform, and economic
inequality supported by all citizens.
* Policy and legislative change to support legal and economic reforms.
* Stimulus funds for green infrastructure to help address both economic
inequality and climate change.
* Commitment from all to slow the spread of Covid-19 so that medical
facilities are not overwhelmed.
* Peaceful political change through the electoral system, specifically in
the 2020 US elections.
* Dedication from every person to re-examine how they think and live, and
to make personal changes to support the above.
* New approaches to art, literature, and cultural expression in light of
the above priorities.
* International cooperation on all of the above, where they apply
internationally.
Clearly, anything that can be done can also not be done; anything that can
happen can also not happen. Some of the above may occur, or all, or none.
From my perspective I think they are all worth a try, and a concerted one.
Be safe and well,
Max
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