I was asked to write an opinion piece on the recent reports of Donald Trump disparaging combat veterans. I am a veteran. It would seem that the reports of these comments would be offensive to me, but they are not. ... While the headlines are filled with Donald Trump’s latest words, his policies go unheeded and undiscussed.
March on KC 9/4 marks 47th anniversary of MLK’s March on Washington
The March on KC included PeaceWorks-KC leaders. “There were many denunciations of police violence and murders, many calls for the civil rights movement to be fully realized,” says Ann Suellentrop. Charles Carney highlights “the interlocking injustices” of police brutality, white supremacy, racism, and poverty.
UN Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons needs only 6 more signers to ‘enter into force’
The UN treaty will enter into force 90 days after the 50th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession has been deposited at the UN. We need only 6 more. As of Aug. 12, I estimate the 50th signing onto the treaty may occur Jan. 8, 2021. If that happens, the treaty will take effect April 8, 2021.
Support ‘Back from the Brink Resolution’ to prevent nuclear war
Ann Suellentrop, during the Aug. 9 Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance online, asked us to support the “Back from the Brink Resolution” to prevent nuclear war. The resolution spells out five steps whereby the US can take the lead in this endeavor.
In these disastrous times of violence … how can nonviolence bring healing to our world?
Building on the work of Gandhi and King, informed by his own early life of trauma, Kazu Haga promotes the personal work of healing from trauma for those practicing nonviolence actions.
How to move “From Spirit to Street Action”
The 3-hour training that was part of an online conference Aug. 7 (but will be repeated) helped participants exercise nonviolence in three inter-related arenas: nonviolence to self, nonviolence to all others, and nonviolence to the entire earth and all its creatures.
White supremacy: cornerstone of US
White people are often so entrenched in white supremacy that it is difficult to see any other alternatives.. … The earthquakes we are feeling in our society today are the shockwaves as this foundation cornerstone of white supremacy is being wrenched from underneath white persons.
Come online 9/26-27 to PeaceWorks’ 30th annual art fair
The PeaceWorks KC Local Art Fair (formerly the UNplaza Art Fair) will continue as scheduled on Sept. 26-27. Due to current COVID-19 realities and our responsibility to the broader community, the art fair will be a virtual event you can access through this website.
PeaceWorks-KC hosts its first Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance online
The novel COVID-19 virus resulted in a novel Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance by PeaceWorks-KC Aug. 9. The annual event took place for the first time not outdoors but online. Victor Dougherty reflected on the Buddhist saying, “As long as there is war within, there will be war without.” Victor led the Zoom attendees in blessings for themselves, for others difficult to embrace, and for the entire world.
Can Do
Ron Faust of PeaceWorks-KC begins his poem thus:
I am what I am
Stricken by a pang in the leg
Halted in my march to a higher calling
Tired by people who can’t get along
I rest in the journey to remember John Lewis