Vaclav Havel asks the question, “Is humanity capable of [mutual coexistence]” (Barash, 2000, p. 259). His answer is, “I don’t know” (p.259); but he has not lost hope. Neither have I. Violence and injustice produce misery for millions of people all over the world. Violence and injustice are the results of terror, ignorance, and suspicion; these dynamics weaken security, wellbeing, and human abilities. Disparities in views and differences are an ordinary part of the world we live in, but the question is: what is needed to build peace and justice and confront violence today? Violence and injustice are sometimes viewed in isolation, as distinct problems. Nevertheless, they are entwined and have shared origins. Havel says that our foremost undertaking in the near-term is to recommence our sense of responsibility [to each other] (Barash, 2000, p. 260).
The advancement of peace, justice and nonviolence is not just about the lack of conflict. Barach says “that peace is never fully achieved; it can only be approached (2000, p. 1). It is a process towards peace—not an end in and of itself. We must create an empowering environment for discourse and dialog and find answers to difficulties and frictions, without fear of aggression, through a process in which everyone is valued and able to participate. Furthermore, building peace, justice …show more content…
So as to create such a culture, we must respect people, their security, and dignity. We must respect inclusiveness, tolerance, non-discrimination, common consideration and discourse, readiness to aid, collaboration and eternal harmony. We can create a culture where persons, organizations and nations renounce injuring others, factions, societies or themselves. We can create a promise for constructive and beneficial answers to obstacles, pressures, and the cause of aggression. Havel calls this discovering a “new relationship to the very miracle of Being” (Barash, 2000, p.
The advancement of peace, justice and nonviolence is not just about the lack of conflict. Barach says “that peace is never fully achieved; it can only be approached (2000, p. 1). It is a process towards peace—not an end in and of itself. We must create an empowering environment for discourse and dialog and find answers to difficulties and frictions, without fear of aggression, through a process in which everyone is valued and able to participate. Furthermore, building peace, justice …show more content…
So as to create such a culture, we must respect people, their security, and dignity. We must respect inclusiveness, tolerance, non-discrimination, common consideration and discourse, readiness to aid, collaboration and eternal harmony. We can create a culture where persons, organizations and nations renounce injuring others, factions, societies or themselves. We can create a promise for constructive and beneficial answers to obstacles, pressures, and the cause of aggression. Havel calls this discovering a “new relationship to the very miracle of Being” (Barash, 2000, p.