I don’t often write political pieces (or comment on them) because I’m painfully aware of my ignorance in this arena. However, this month on “Artists For Peace” the topic is “Against Violence” and I felt compelled to write.
I keep reading blog posts about how we should fight against injustice and violence, etc. They seem to think that “turning the other cheek” is about ignoring the problem or about cowardice. However, as far as I am concerned, there is nothing braver than to meet violence with nonviolent resistance. You cannot fight fire with fire. That just leads to escalation, and builds up more hatred, resentment and desire for revenge: a chain of violence. There is nothing braver than to risk it all to stand up for your belief in peace; fight with the flames of your heart. I can’t say whether I would be brave enough to do it myself because I haven’t been tested. Maybe I would be brave enough if my children were fully grown and independent, I don’t know.
You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.
Indira Gandhi
I know that if a nation were to give up its arms in today’s world it would be a suicidal and irresponsible thing to do. If you live surrounded by people who bear arms then to practice non-violence is very risky. However, I still believe that the right to not bear arms is something that we should work towards for nations and for individuals.
Artists4Peace 
I’m so glad this here. I thought Sarah’s piece was very powerful when I first read it.
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I think the question is…would you be willing to die for what you believe. Because that’s always a possibility in violent confrontations. So, if you can answer that, then you know what you would do. 🙂 I think it would be easier to say ‘yes,’ to giving you life for something you believe in, if your death would make a difference. But there’s a good chance that it won’t and you’ll just be one of many casualties. Sometimes a belief is so strong that you have to do what you have to do, no matter what. Then the answer is easy. At least that’s the way it seems to me.
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[…] Artists4Peace posted submissions on the topic yesterday: Against Violence. Today, I was catching up on those posts and the comments on my own blog that I am behind with. I realized that I felt drained doing this. Blogging usually energizes me but not today. What can I learn from this? I need to listen to my inner voice — to my body — I realized as I was working that I was clenching my jaw and giving myself a headache. […]
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