If you care about peace, hope that justice will be felt by all humans and non-human species on Earth, and believe true Holistic Sustainability can in fact be a reality, your head can't help but spin at times.
Recently, I've had more than a few conversations with colleagues and friends that think that they don't have to be the one's to illuminate accountability for why we are where we are; that simply someone else can and will do it. This is at the heart of why measures that promote peace, justice and sustainability are still so difficult to find lasting implementation.
Theory is important, because it causes us to think, dream, and creatively imagine how things might be. Dialogue is facilitated through theorizing, and of course, that's an integral role in using theory-not just leaving it as an intangible entity. But then you have action, and whether or not you feel so inclined to be an active person out in the field advocating for social, economic, political and environmental change, activism in its many forms remains the strongest pathway for showcasing your discontent for those that continue "business as usual" and believe "these systems are all we have", thus thwarting their energy towards working for nuanced visions of life and believing in a more justice centered worldview where all life is respected. It doesn't mean there can't be diversity anymore in life and we all have to be forced into equality, but it does mean unique communities, tribes, and groups of people can determine what the needs of their constituents are now and how they can live sustainably for generations to come.
One good exercise in understanding this dilemma is looking at passive v.s active-passive v.s armed resistance.Of course there's those that ground ideology in Social Darwinistic views of the world, so they can simply state things are messed up, always will, and continue in that way because its fate. Why not be a capitalists and consume at an elites level in life if you feel this way? But of course, our perspective whole-heartedly rejects that train of thought believing in human beings ability to "logically" and "rationally" choose how their ways of life influence and impact the lives of others (compassion).
Some of those folks chose to promote peace passively, through gatherings of alternative viewpoints that at the core promote peace, but do not combat the systems and histories that have lead to the same conditions they seek to repeal through gathering. You find these beliefs in people who don't "see racism", "see environmental degradation", "feel economic inequality", and so forth because they feel just acting as peace will be the change. To a certain degree, this is good, because its a worldview built on promoting peaceful energy. But how does that empower the bearers of the burden of injustices like sexism, racism, homophobia, and ecosystem obliteration? Clearly it doesn't, because those that continue to perpetuate inequalities are not called out in challenge to understand how what they believe and how they live solidifies these lived realities. If you ask any peace loving "hippy" how they see the African-American condition in the US, they'll probably say they treat everyone equal, don't see a racial difference, and that promotes peace. Ask any African -American how they feel walking the street with their white "hippy" friend and you might hear that although it seems like a good intention to be color-blind, the reality of the situation is much different. People do see these differences because we are unique and different in our races, ethnicity's, cultures, sexuality, religions, genders, classes, spirituality's, abilities, health and appearances in life. You see, by not celebrating our diversities within the spirit of recognizing oppressions brought forth by humanity, not fate, we will never defeat them but rather serve to solidify them within society.
To first shake off your comfort zone, to not deny the hope alive in this world, and take a step beyond simply saying "peace" to everyone, you need to be proactive. Some have found the way in armed resistance like the Zapatista movement in Mexico. Here an Indigenous justice fueled movement has taken back land for the people, to be ruled by the people, and although they are armed, their choice is to only arm themselves in case the threat from the outside State (Mexico) intervenes in their movement. While I respect this orientation of thought because it is by and for the people, I find (although many other activists will disagree) its the non-violent resistances that pave the most sustainable path for us. It obviously depends on the unique situation, and where the Zapatista movement in located, non-violence may not have worked to get to the place they are today. However, other instances call for different measures. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. And Mahatma Gandhi speak to these movements. Some will say things are and have been so intensely oppressive and brutal since colonization, that armed revolution of the proletariat is essential for change. Again, I find solidarity in those movements for justice and peace, but must also celebrate those movements at the core that repeal violence of any kind. The argument will always be there that those movements will be defeated by the "State" as entities of power will not and do not change that easily as reluctance to change is their way of keeping the systems and conditions we currently live by in place. Moreover, what happened to the above leaders in the end? Violence and violent people claim lives.
None the less, non-violent direct oppositions and activist movements have been and are being conducted all over the world and show glorious merit in their scope, passion, and ability to promote hope for a different world where peace, justice and sustainability are core principles, holistically, that guide humanity on its path. Without Gandhi would India be independent from British colonialism? Without MLK Jr. would the civil rights movement have taken lasting form in the US? We'll never know, but these achievements are paramount in the ongoing struggle for a better world. Racism has not been cast away from US society, and India still grows from its history of colonization, but peace and justice have been furthered. The key thought here is, these people didn't just talk about racism and inequalities; they acted.
If you look at what's going on in the world today, action is sorely needed in more areas than any one person can handle. But there are organizations and individuals making the effort. While I encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone, do some research, and take a look outward, here's a few happenings all relevant and happening on this day in July-
Greenpeace activists occupying 4 coal plants in Italy as a way to tell the G8 climate change action is needed now. Greenpeace activists also scaled Mt. Rushmore displaying a banner calling for Obama to take a harder role in the affect he can foster within the climate change movement. In Oregon, a protest was held in Elliot State Forest to bring awareness of endangered species impacts as well as impacts to old-growth trees from a logging company set of extracting timber for profit. Activists are continuing to organizine against the Black Mesa Project, mountain-top removal mining, and the list goes on.
Go deeper, open your mind, look inward, then outward, and shape your dreams into action for a better world for us all.
As the struggles continue...this list, beautifully, goes on...but more organization of people that believe in the health of all must continue in cultivation...
