... on being a peace & justice pusher

wow, it seems though the G8 summit will truly be something over there in Germany ...

15,000, yes FIFTEEN THOUSAND troops, ehr, i mean police, to handle the "violent protesters" ... that was the CNN report on what was happening in Germany this morning. 

i realize, as i have been a part of protests with upwards to 250,000 people, that it can get unruly, and that there are those that would take and use what would otherwise be a peaceful protest and turn it into a violent cry for justice ... but honestly, an entire battalion of troops to handle people demonstrating against the powers-that-be and their attempts to divvy out the world, its resources and people to maximize their agendas and attempting to do so without enciting a massive global revolution ... makes one think about peace and how to achieve it.

i remember an article by walter wink i read in Yes! magazine .... just a bit of the article ...

Jesus gives three examples to explain his point. The first is: “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.” Most people picture a blow with the right fist. But that would land on the left cheek, and Jesus specifies the right cheek. A left hook wouldn’t fit the bill either, since the left hand was used only for unclean tasks, and even to gesture with it brought shame on the one gesturing. Jesus is speaking about striking the right cheek with the back of the right hand. This was not a blow to injure. It was symbolic. It was intended to humiliate, to put an inferior in his or her place. It was given by a master to a slave, a husband to a wife, a parent to a child, or a Roman to a Jew. The message of the powerful to their subjects was clear: You are a nobody, get back down where you belong.

It is to those accustomed to being struck thus that Jesus speaks (“if anyone strikes you”). By turning the other cheek, the person struck puts the striker in an untenable spot. He cannot repeat the backhand, because the other’s nose is now in the way. The left cheek makes a fine target, but only persons who are equals fight with fists, and the last thing the master wants is for the slave to assert equality (see the Mishnah, Baba Kamma 8:6). This is, of course, no way to avoid trouble; the master might have the slave flogged to within an inch of her life. But the point has been irrevocably made: the “inferior” is saying, in no uncertain terms, “I won’t take such treatment anymore. I am your equal. I am a child of God.” By turning the other cheek, the oppressed person is saying that she refuses to submit to further humiliation. This is not submission, as the churches have insisted. It is defiance. That may sound a bit idealistic, but people all over the globe of late have been taking their courage in their hands this way and resisting, nonviolently, those who have treated them thus.

so, let them call us "violent protesters" if they must; we know the truth.  throwing stones would not be my choice of actions, but verus an army of well armed, completely armoured troops with their water cannons and tear gas, who exactly is being "violent"? 

when people gather to protest for things like equality, justice, poverty relief, AIDS relief, famine relief, human rights ... while yes, it can get passionate, but likely would NOT become violent without the paramilitary posture of the power structure, or their planting of those who would incite an unruly protest.  that is OUR challenge.  we must not become them, not even in our compassion for others and the future of our world.

when they are violently standing there, we must push them.  we must show them our equality.  if we keep pushing with force of non-violence, absorbing their "overkill" and fear-based posture that stems from knowing they are the one's who should be afraid, because LOVE is greater than GREED. COMPASSION is greater than FEAR. HOPE is bigger than OPPRESSION, and we will change the direction of the future of our planet.

this is the time to push them back to the rocks they came out under, and carry the rocks to the edge of the cliffs and let them go back into the ocean for a nice, long, washing in the currents of humanity.

so, if in the midst of the fury there on the streets in Germany, if there is a rock in your hand, let it remind you of the power of mother earth and her people; let that stone infuse you with her power.  then drop it and raise your fist and push forward and move them out of your way with the power of all of those who are with you from every corner of the world. 

peace & harmony,
elaine
'freedom must be exercised to stay in shape!'