Morality, Justice, and Humanity
Power to Love not War
War exacerbates generational conflicts, radicalizes people, and harms human beings. War begats war. Hate begats hate. Love begats love.
As a non-violent advocate, I am consciously centering the value of human life everywhere in the world, from Africa to Asia, to the Middle East, and to the Americas. Humanitarianism does not place one life as more important than another, it addresses the care for ALL humankind. I am in the movement for peace, and I also understand that our history has engaged in war that has resulted in freedom. I also know that non-violent movements by the people have positively changed the course of history. I believe in the power of love for humanity and not the violence of indiscriminate inhumane actions.
Yes / Both / And
Several wars have resulted in liberation and the unfortunate death of civilians. Slavery in the U.S. ended as a result of the Civil War, and we still fight for equality and equity. The Haitian Revolution is a story of rebellion against colonial rule to end enslavement, and they continue to fight for survival. The end of World War II resulted in the end of genocide and the liberation of some Jewish people, and we still seek safety from hatred.
We also have examples of freedom and justice via a more democratic process, via laws, and movements of the people that demanded the eradication of oppression, apartheid, civil rights, human rights, and injustices. The Civil Rights Movement and the end of apartheid in South Africa occurred because of the consistent pressure from the people. The power of collective activism was and is critical for justice, humanity, and liberation.
I also know the history of Black people in America. Systemic racism, structural injustices, and consistent oppression gave rise to the Civil Rights Movement, Black Panther Party, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Black people experienced being stolen, held hostage, colonization, enslavement, rape, torture, segregation, lynchings, terror, raids, massacres, and bombings. From Tulsa to Birmingham, to Chicago to Charleston, and throughout the entire nation, Black Americans experienced violence due to bigotry, hate, inhumanity, ignorance, and prejudices.
Black people are still experiencing modern day violence due to the militarization of our communities, unequal and inequitable treatment, and systemic injustices in education, employment, housing, and healthcare. Black people experience anti-Blackness in every color and racial group. Black people have been fighting for their liberation since slavery in Egypt, being held captive on the shores of Africa, and enslavement in the Americas. Now as the global fight for fairness and humanity continues, so does the fight for freedom. “Black Lives Matter” is not a cry against other racial groups nor a comparison to any other group, it is a cry to see the humanity in and importance of Black lives. We are still fighting for people to SEE us as humans and to value our feelings, experiences, and lives.
So the “YES / BOTH / AND” is simply the fact that YES everyone has the right to protect and defend themselves. We all need safety and security as we are all striving to exist. AND all human life is precious and valuable. The color of skin, geographic location, religion, ethnicity, race, gender, lifestyle, etc. should not be targets for hate nor apathy. No life is greater than another. Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Palestinian, anti-Israeli, antiBlackness, anti-Arab, xenophobia, homophobia, and all forms of hate should be unequivocally denounced and not engaged. Humanity should be centered. We should all have the right to live in peace and prosperity in order to sustainably thrive. All human beings need clean water, food, medical care, and housing to survive. These are basic needs. BOTH Palestinian life and Israeli life are important. Both Israel and Palestine have the right to be safe and free. YES justice is necessary in order for there to be true belonging and peace. The spirit of justice is not revenge (to cause harm), it is a fair resolution to solve an injustice. Justice is vindication and it should be righteously pursued. Justice addresses the harm caused and wrong doings. Justice repairs what is broken. Justice gives back what was stolen. Justice compensates what has been devalued. Justice is morality in action.
There is no justice in vindictive vengeful actions. There is no justice in perpetuating violence against innocent people on BOTH sides. There is no justice in holding hostages, wrongful imprisonment, terrorism, illegal occupation, massacres, bombardments of indiscriminate warfare, colonization, withholding critical life resources from innocent civilians, ethnic cleansing, and genocide. There is no fairness in one-sided narratives, hateful indoctrination, double standards, subjective biases, and dehumanizing propaganda.
Belonging is impossible when you are not fairly seen, heard, respected, supported, valued, and safe (psychologically & physically). There will never be true peace without justice and freedom. The cycle will continue to repeat generation after generation. History is repeating itself in modernized ways, and we are not learning from the past. Therefore, people must stop the madness of revenge, the insanity of inhumane actions, and the supremacy of only valuing the lives of people who share a similar identity. The struggle for freedom is interconnected and interlinked. This puzzle of conflict cannot be solved without everyone collectively collaborating to connect the peace humanity is fighting for.
As a non-violent advocate and activist, I hope for liberation of all oppressed people and the end to all forms of racism, violence, and genocide. I appreciate movement work for moral actions to drive change for the people because it produces results and does not involve significant loss of life. I realize people have various perspectives and I hope regardless of how we may differ, I hope we can all agree that innocent life should be valued and protected.
We have the right to protect and defend ourselves to ensure we are safe and secure. We have a right to pursue justice and freedom. We have the right to not only survive, but thrive.
Morality, justice, and humanity are necessary in order for all of us to be free and have peace.
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