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PLEDGE OF NONVIOLENCE

Reflections on the Pledge elements in light of September 11, 2001 and subsequent events

-- Jan Cebula, OSF

TO RESPECT MYSELF

  • Respect my own emotions. Name my emotions. Work through my emotions.
  • Recognize that my Self is more than my emotions.

Remind myself that I do not have to act on feelings of anger, desire for

revenge, etc. Try to be conscious of any desire to act out of fear or

suspiciousness. Resist the pressure to act out of fear and suspicion.
  • Recognize that my Self is interconnected with everyone and everything else.

Find ways to nourish this Self.
  • Accept my whole Self with its shadow, weaknesses and uncertainties

Living active nonviolence is a search for truth.

Remind myself that it’s okay not to have answers.

TO RESPECT OTHERS
  • Respect others’ emotions, grieving and healing process.
  • Resist stereotyping, profiling, demonizing and scapegoating.

Am I hearing/experiencing this around me?

Am I participating in this in any way?
  • Support through prayer and other ways our Arab/American and other

immigrant neighbors.
  • Am I in my thinking, speaking, acting and lifestyle contributing to the idea that the lives of U.S. residents are more important/valuable than the lives of others around the world?
  • Support respect for the individual.

Find out about legislation being proposed. Urge caution in restricting civil liberties.
  • Speak out for a consistent adherence to the principles of human rights.

TO COMMUNICATE BETTER

  • Promote dialogue on the issues concerning our country and world

Create spaces to have a dialogue. Gather people to talk about current events, the questions raised and values
  • Remind ourselves and others that voicing differing views is a basic tenet of a democracy. Expressing dissenting views is not unpatriotic.
     
  • Choose words carefully. Search for ways to speak about the situation that will de-escalate the violence, minimize/eliminate polarization (good v. evil, we v. they), avoid stereotyping.
     
  •  Urge the media and government representatives to do so.
     
  • Watch the God language.

How are we speaking of God during all this? "God is on our side. God caused this to …….. God is punishing us……them……"
  • Seek ways to solve conflicts nonviolently.
  • Learn about and advocate conflict resolution, international law, a more

prominent role by the United Nations, the establishment of a world criminal court.
  • Call upon U.S. leaders to participate as a true partner in international/global affairs – avoid arrogance and isolationism
     
  • Learn about other countries/cultures/religions.
  • Place ourselves in multicultural situations and environments
  • Learn another language

TO LISTEN

  • Remember the Gandhian principle that everyone has a piece of the truth

Search for the truth we have. Listen for what piece of the truth the "enemy"

may have.

  • Listen to what the events are saying to me/us, our country.
  • Find alternative sources of information
  • Viewpoints from other parts of the world
  • Voices of those living in poverty
  • Voices of women
  • People working for reconciliation in the "hot spots" of the world
    •
    • Listen for underlying grievances of current conflicts and promote just solutions.

    Palestinian/Israeli conflict, economic sanctions against the Iraqi people, arms sales, unjust distribution and consumption of resources

    TO FORGIVE
    • Study and try to understand the process of forgiveness
    • Understand and be patient with the grieving process
    • Seek to understand what spawns and feeds deep-seated hatred
    • Learn about the use of forgiveness/reconciliation in world situations such

    as the Truth and Reconciliation commission in South Africa
    • Strive to learn our nation’s history and need for reconciliation

    Urge/support calls for public recognition of the need for forgiveness

    and reconciliation
    • Promote forgiveness of the debt of poor nations
    • Ritualize forgiveness and reconciliation

    RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT

    • Focus on our connection with the earth to emphasize the commonality of all people.
    • Ritualize our connection with the earth and all living things.
    • The growing gap between the rich and the poor is fueling violence and destroying the environment. Remember and practice the adage: REDUCE consumption, REUSE to cut down on waste and RECYCLE.
    • The U.S. dependence upon oil is fueling violence, particularly in the Middle East and the burning of fuel is causing global warming. Try to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by using public transportation, eliminating unnecessary use of vehicles, car pooling, and practicing a "car sabbath" at least once a week.
    • Promote the development of renewable sources of energy.
    • Promote the ratification of the Kyoto treaty.
    • Write to Congress opposing drilling in the Arctic.
    • Study the connections between poverty and environmental destruction.
    • Start a study group to draw the connections between lifestyle and environmental problems. (Simpler Living, Compassionate Life edited by Michael Shut is a good resource.)

    TO RECREATE NONVIOLENTLY

    • Avoid TV programs, films, videos and video games that
  • portray violence as the acceptable solution to conflict
  • desensitize to the consequences of violence
  • make fun of or stereotype others
  • promote rugged individualism
  • promote consumerism and greed
  • ridicule vulnerability or weakness.
    •
    • Choose TV programs, films, videos, music and other entertainment that foster healthy relationships and expose us to other cultures.
    • Listen to music, watch a film, attend a play or art show, read a book by someone from another country/culture.
    • Attend an ethnic enrichment or multicultural fair or event
    • When traveling, plan to visit the sites of nonviolent movements; e.g., the Martin Luther King memorial in Atlanta and other sites of the Civil Rights movement and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.
    • Choose leisure activities that foster a closer relationship with the earth

    TO BE COURAGEOUS

    • Find courage in joining with others seeking peace
    • Continue to speak even when it is unpopular
    • Voice the call to nonviolence through letters to the editor, letters to representatives, call-in shows, etc.
    • Organize prayer services for peace
    • Hold prayer services for peace in public places
    • Participate in vigils, rallies and demonstrations
    • Consider participating in civil disobedience