by Kristin Scheer
On October 21st, The Dialogue Institute of KC main office and community center were broken into and vandalized. Founded in 2006, The Dialogue Institute of KC was organized by Turkish Americans seeking to promote peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
Ann Suellentrop of Peaceworks KC said they are regular participants of our Local Art Fair. “We collaborated with them on International Women’s Day. All social justice issues are interwoven,” says Suellentrop. “Racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, hate, and fear lead to war, genocide, and genocidal laws like what’s going on in Turkey. It’s more effective to work across issues of social justice,” she says. “Why would you aim a nuclear bomb at people you are working with? We rely on each other, depend on each other, our mutual survival depends on collaboration.”
The KC KS Police dept. and the FBI are investigating this event as a possible hate crime. “Regardless of the perpetrators’ intentions, we will continue to demonstrate our mission of being in service to our beloved KC community- building bridges of mutual understanding and solidarity among people of diverse faiths and cultures,” stated the Institute in an email inviting all to join them on Thursday, Nov. 10 7-8:30 at the Church of the Resurrection at 13720 Roe Ave. in Leawood, KS.
“Join us as we stand together holding a vision of a peaceful and loving world – a world where we can speak with one voice for respect for all life, a world with a narrative of inclusivity and compassion,” the email says.”Come Together with community and faith leaders as we share words of support and prayers.”
For more information:
Kristin Scheer, a long-time environmentalactivist, serves on the PeaceWorks Kansas City Board.
