I love you.
It's been a rough week and we are going to be OK
With the news out of Ukraine and Palestine/Israel, it’s easy to slip down a well of grief and stay there. The news is awful.
Earlier this week, I posted a peace sign on Facebook, and received several private messages telling me that was inappropriate. I certainly understand annoyance leveled at a keyboard warrior suggesting we all take a breath.
Easy for me, right?
But watching the news can be so disheartening, particularly when the language seeks to dehumanize people. I have nothing new to add on the context of that awfulness, though I’m working on a piece about misinformation as a weapon of war. I’ll write my heart out, but I realize that I’m only nibbling at the edges.
Together, let’s cling to the notion that peace can still prevail. To start your weekend, I recommend this soulful essay from Arielle Angel at Jewish Currents, “We cannot cross until we carry each other.” The essay includes:
…what Exodus reminds us is that the dehumanization that is required to oppress and occupy another people always dehumanizes the oppressor in turn. For people who feel like their pain is being devalued, it’s because it is; and that devaluation is itself a hallmark of the cycle of the diminishing value of human life. As the abolitionist geographer Ruth Wilson Gilmore has said, “Where life is precious, life is precious.” We are seeing the ways that Jews as the agents of apartheid will not be spared—even those of us who have devoted our lives to the work of ending it.
Selah.
I love you too. It has been a rough week. I honestly believe we are all one and cannot fathom letting one’s anger boil over into murderous rage. It is critical that we all manage our thoughts, actions and feelings. It helps me to try and be the peace that passeth human understanding. I get up every day and try to be better. A work in progress for sure but it is what’s in my control.
And I love you.
It has been a difficult week, globally and for me personally. I know you. As I see it, when you share a peace sign, you don't want any more innocent civilians harmed, anywhere and from any country. And, you want terrorism to be stopped and to end. I would never believe your "Peace" is meant to choose sides. It's meant to express your care and concern for the suffering everywhere, because you really do love people.
After the brutal attack (again) of Israeli people, how do they protect themselves from the terrorists? I don't know what is the best course. There seems to be no good options for a response. Now all people in the region are in danger of harm which is more than heartbreaking.