Given the expanding range of threats to human survival that require a strategic response if they are to be contained, is that possible?
by Robert J. Burrowes
Violence is pervasive
throughout human society and it has a vast range of manifestations. Moreover,
some of these manifestations – particularly the threat of nuclear war (which
might start regionally), the climate catastrophe and the ongoing ecological devastation,
as well as geoengineering and the deployment of 5G – threaten imminent human
extinction if not contained. Separately from these extinction-threatening
manifestations, however, violence occurs in a huge range of other contexts
denying many people the freedom, human rights and opportunities necessary for a
meaningful life. Moreover, human violence is now driving 200 species of life on
Earth to extinction daily with another 1,000,000 species under threat.
For just a sample of the
evidence in relation to the threats noted above see, for example, ‘Rapidly expanding nuclear
arsenals in Pakistan and India portend regional and global catastrophe’, ‘Plan A’,
‘City on Fire’, ‘Human Extinction by 2026? A
Last Ditch Strategy to Fight for Human Survival’, Geoengineering Watch, ‘International Appeal: Stop 5G on Earth and in Space’ and ‘5G and the Wireless
Revolution: When Progress Becomes a Death Sentence’.
Given the expanding range of
threats to human survival that require a strategic response if
they are to be contained, is that possible?
 |
| Why violence? |
Well, any candid assessment
of the relevant scientific literature coupled with an understanding of the
psychological, sociological, political, economic and military factors driving
the violence, clearly indicates that the answer is ‘highly unlikely’.
Particularly because so many people are so (unconsciously)
terrified and incapable of responding powerfully.
However, this does not mean
that many people are not trying and some of these people perceive the
interrelated and synergistic nature of these threats and know that we must be
addressing each of them strategically if humanity and an enormous number of
other species are to have any meaningful chance of survival in a viable
biosphere. These people range from ‘ordinary’ activists, who work passionately
to end violence in one context or another, to globally prominent individuals
doing the same. Let me tell you about some of them.
Ramesh Agrawal is a prominent
social and environmental activist in India who has devoted many years to
educating and organizing local village people, including adivasi communities,
to defend their homes and lands from those corporations and governments that
would deprive them of their rights, livelihoods, health and a clean environment
for the sake of mining the abundant coal in the state of Chhattisgarh. However,
because his ongoing efforts to access and share key information and his
organization of Gandhian-inspired grassroots satyagrahas (nonviolent campaigns)
have been so effective, he has also paid a high price for his activism, having
been attacked on many occasions. In 2011, for example, he was arrested despite
ill-health at the time and chained to a hospital bed. A year later he was shot
in the leg, which required multiple operations. He still has difficulty walking
with six metal rods inserted through his thigh.
The Jan Chetna (‘peoples’
awareness’) movement started by Ramesh has spread to several parts of
Chhattisgarh as well as other states of India. For the latest account of his
efforts including the recent ‘coal satyagrapha’ focused on coal blocks owned by
state power companies but being developed and operated by Adani Enterprises,
see ‘Thousands Hold “Coal
Satyagraha”, Allege Manufacturing of Consent at Public Hearing’. For his nonviolent activism, Ramesh was awarded the
Goldman Environmental Prize in 2014. See ‘Ramesh Agrawal: 2014 Goldman
Prize Recipient Asia’ and ‘Chhattisgarh activist,
Ramesh Agrawal, bags Goldman prize’.
In Ghana, the Women’s
International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) continues its work under the
leadership of President Dr. Ayo Ayoola-Amale, a certified mediator and
peacebuilder. One recent activity was a two weeks training course on
negotiation and mediation as a tool for conflict resolution for women in the
Upper West region of Ghana, particularly three districts: Lawra, Nadowli and
Lambussie. The training was aimed at providing local NGOs, community elders,
administrators and others with the skills and knowledge to further improve
their capacity in the work they do. In such courses, Ayo emphasizes the
importance of trust, identity and relationship building issues, quoting Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘Life and history give eloquent testimony to the fact
that conflicts are never resolved without trustful give and take on both
sides.’
But Ayo has also conducted
other courses, such as a three day workshop on peacemaking and mediation skills
for the teachers and students at Okyereko Methodist Junior High School which
taught skills such as communication (listening, speaking, silence),
cooperation, trusting, empathy, responsibility, reconciliation and problem
solving. Ayo also used her storytelling skills to convey an understanding of
what it means to be a responsible person and how that puts us in charge of our
lives. Through the storytelling she reveals some of the personal benefits that
come from being honest, reliable, trustworthy and principled and how treating
people with respect helps us get along with each other, avoid and resolve
conflicts, and create a positive social climate. She told workshop participants
that every choice they make helps define the kind of person they are choosing
to be and their character is defined by what they do, not what they say or
believe.
Professor René Wadlow,
President of the Association of World Citizens headquartered in France, has been involved for
decades in efforts to engage people in world events rather than leave these
events to be mismanaged by elites with a vested interest in a particular
outcome. In this article, for example, he reflects thoughtfully on the ‘Iran Crisis: Dangers and
Opportunities’ by drawing
attention to opportunities for citizen engagement through NGOs to influence how
the conflict plays out. As he notes: ‘The dangers are real. We must make the
most of the opportunities.’ René also continues to examine issues and throw
light on subjects well outside the spotlight of the corporate media, such as
conflicts in Africa. See, for example, his article ‘Sahel Instability Spreads’.
Since 2017 Dr Marthie Momberg
in South Africa has been working with international colleagues to address
Zionism amongst Christians. Along with a colleague from Kairos USA, Marthie
offered, for example, a seminar entitled ‘Christianity and the Shifting of
Perceptions on Zionism’ at Stellenbosch University’s Beyers Naudé Centre. ‘With
some other colleagues we are also in the midst of a research project at this Centre
to understand how to sensitise Christians on the nature of Zionism and how it
serves as an important lens on so many other struggles in our world. I am also
in the process of writing a number of scholarly articles on ethics and religion
in the context of Israel and the Palestinian struggle.’
And while on Palestine, US
activist journalist Abby Martin recently completed her debut feature film Gaza
Fights for Freedom. Directed, written and narrated by Abby, the film had
its origins while Abby was reporting in Palestine, where she was denied entry
into Gaza by the Israeli government on the accusation she was a ‘propagandist’.
Connecting with a team of journalists in Gaza to produce the film through the
blockaded border, this collaboration shows you Gaza’s protest movement ‘like
you’ve never seen it before’. Filmed during the height of the Great March Of
Return protests, it features riveting footage of demonstrations ‘where 200
unarmed civilians have been killed by Israeli snipers since March 30, 2018’ and
is a thorough indictment of the Israeli military for war crimes, and a stunning
cinematic portrayal of the heroic resistance by Palestinians. You can watch a
preview of the film here: Gaza Fights for Freedom (preview). And if you would like to buy or rent the film (and
support Abby’s work) you can do so here: Gaza Fights For Freedom.
In Guatemala, Daniel Dalai
continues his visionary work providing opportunities for girls to develop their
leadership capacities at ‘Earthgardens’. If you haven’t previously been aware of their work,
including in Bolivia and Nicaragua, you will find it fascinating to read how
girls – including Carmen, Angelica, Reyna, Katiela, Yapanepet, Zenobia, Deysi,
Rosalba, Charro, Katarina and Marleni – in this community each changed their
society, often by forming ‘Eco-Teams’, with a remarkable variety of
initiatives.
The Asia Institute ‘is the
first truly pan-Asian think tank. A research institution that addresses global
issues with a focus on Asia, The Asia Institute is committed to presenting a balanced perspective
that takes into account the concerns of the entire region. The Asia Institute
provides an objective space wherein a significant discussion on current trends
in technology, international relations, the economy and the environment can be
carried out.’ Focused on research, analysis and dialogue, and headed by
president Emanuel Yi Pastreich, the Institute was originally founded in 2007
while Emanuel was working in Daejeon, Republic of (South) Korea. Emanuel writes
extensively on culture, technology, the environment and international relations
with a focus on Northeast Asia. He also serves as president of the Earth
Management Institute, a global think tank dedicated to developing original
approaches to global governance in this dangerous age. But for more on The Asia
Institute, see the website above.
While the individuals and organizations mentioned
above are just a sample of those directly involved, they are part of an
expanding worldwide network in 105 countries committed to working to end human
violence in all of its manifestations. Whatever the odds against it, they
refuse to accept that violence cannot be ended, and each has chosen to focus on
working to end one or more manifestations of violence, according to their
particular circumstances and interests. If you would like to join these people,
you are welcome to sign the online pledge of ‘The People’s Charter to Create a
Nonviolent World’.
If your own interest is campaigning on a peace,
climate, environment or social justice issue, consider doing it strategically.
See Nonviolent Campaign Strategy.
If your focus is a defense or liberation struggle
being undertaken by a national group, consider enhancing its strategic impact.
See Nonviolent Defense/Liberation
Strategy.
If your preference is addressing the climate and
environmental catastrophes systematically while working locally, consider
participating in (and inviting others to participate in) ‘The Flame Tree Project to Save Life on Earth’.
If you would like to tackle violence at its source,
consider revising your parenting in accordance with ‘My Promise to Children’. If you want the evidence to understand why this is
so crucial, see ‘Why Violence?’ and ‘Fearless
Psychology and Fearful Psychology: Principles and Practice’.
If you are self aware enough to know that you are not
dealing effectively with our deepening, multifaceted crisis, consider doing the
personal healing necessary to do so. See ‘Putting Feelings First’.
Perhaps ending human violence is impossible. If that
is true, then human extinction is inevitable and it will occur as a result of
one cause or another. Moreover, it will happen in the near term. But every
person who believes that human violence can be ended, and then takes strategic
action to end it, is participating in the most important undertaking in human
history: a last ditch strategy to fight for human survival.
Biodata: Robert J. Burrowes
has a lifetime commitment to understanding and ending human violence. He has
done extensive research since 1966 in an effort to understand why human beings
are violent and has been a nonviolent activist since 1981. He is the author of ‘Why Violence?’ His
email address is flametree@riseup.net and his website is here.
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