Monthly Archives: November 2015

In wake of Paris attacks, US should not ditch compassion

(Rasande Tyskar/ Flickr)

The recent terrorist attacks in Paris have understandably shaken the Western world to its core. The death toll is harrowing and the potential for more violence is terrifying.

The West has been attacked, and it wants to strike back. The terrorists ended over 100 precious lives and sent a strong message filled with fiery hate. It is only natural that we want to send an equally strong message back, an insistence that we will not stand idly by as our people are slaughtered and our values attacked.

But why then does much of the Western response make me feel sick? Why do I fear that the attacks have succeeded in bringing out the worst of us? I think it is because I am noticing a worrying trend. We are flirting with the dangerous idea that to protect ourselves and exact revenge, we must necessarily abandon any notion of compassion.

Excerpt from Benjamin Claybault’s article in the Daily Collegian- Read more

Don’t let fear paralyze humanity

After the Paris attacks, the president of France said his country will take in 30,000 more Syrian refugees. Our House voted 289-137 to effectively shut down the U.S. refugee program indefinitely.

I better not drive to the store, to church or to work.” After all, 29,000 Minnesotans a year are injured in car crashes.

“I better not let my child play at the playground.” After all, more than 200,000 U.S. children a year are injured at playgrounds.

This is a person paralyzed by fear.

Excerpt from Pia Lopez’s article in the SC Times- Read more.

Muslim College Student Gives “Hugs for Humanity”

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – A Muslim college student stood outside for hours Saturday asking for people to trust him and give him a hug.

He could be found in downtown Greenville opening his arms to promote peace following the attacks in Paris.

“It kind of gives me hope, you know,” said Alend Barzenji, about the response.

His arms and heart were open to any stranger that passed by. But his eyes were covered, to put his trust in the people of Greenville.

Excerpt from Krystyne Brown’s article and video on WNCN. Read and see more.

Will You Choose War or an Empire of Compassion?

Sometimes, we think that who we are and what we do doesn’t matter to the world.

We’ve heard that if we don’t learn from history, we’re condemned to repeat it. I’d prefer to learn.

In light of recent events, I’d like to share a story of the power of one person’s peace in the ancient world that is still impacting us now.
Listening to this story, we can always remember, peace is a choice. What will we chose today?

Excerpt from Susanna Barkataki’s article in The Huffington Post- read more

The Holocaust “still has lessons for humanity today”, Boris Johnson has said on a visit to Israel’s official memorial to the millions of victims.

The London Mayor placed a wreath in Yad Vashem’s Hall of Remembrance, where a stone crypt contains ashes of those who died in the extermination camps and a flame burns continuously.

Excerpt from Richard Wheler’s article in The Independent– read more

San Patrignano: A Model Restorative Community for People with Addiction Problems

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On September 11, 2008 I spent six hours touring and learning about the San Patrignano drug rehabilitation community located in Rimini, Italy. I spent the week before in Lausanne, Switzerland providing training on conflict management for women from over 50 different countries who primarily work for their country’s Olympic Committees. My friend Marina Canatacuzino, a journalist who created The Forgiveness Project, suggested I visit San Patrignano, which is relatively close to Switzerland.

San Patrignano is considered one of the world’s finest drug rehabilitation programs, and after visiting it I can easily understand why. I believe San Patrignano is a model for building peace and is an example of an effective restorative justice and solution-focused response to conflict and dealing with serious social problems.

Excerpt from Laurenn Walker’s blog- Read more

We’re all human

The Middle East has had problems for what seems like an eternity now. Ever since I was born they’ve had problems that they, nor the world as a whole, can fix. The people there have to go everyday with the worry of “will I be killed today?”

European countries made room for immigrants when immigration from the Middle East first started to happen a few months ago, but then decided that they couldn’t take in any more people. There were, and still are thousands of people fleeing their home countries trying to get to safety, but they are being turned away from the golden land of opportunities that they gave up everything for.

How could these countries do this? From my perspective, I can see how overcrowding becomes a problem and there aren’t enough resources to go around. I understand that even these well established first world countries can’t care for a sudden rush of millions of additional people.

Excerpt from Emily Lorenz’s article in The Courier