Peace and Justice — Human Rights
Saturday September 10, 2011
Welcome to this issue from the “In The Forefront” mailing list. To alter your profile, follow the steps at the end, where your profile is listed.
While this is a monthly newsletter, on rare occasions a Special Edition is created, in this case for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The purpose is not to offer yet another perspective on 9/11 – the media is awash in them. Rather, while it can’t avoid its own perspective, this Special Edition is geared more to be reflective in nature, allowing you to ponder certain questions as you have digested some of the 9/11 coverage thus far and as you encounter further coverage. Basically this newsletter would be remiss if it remained silent during such analyses of the seismic shifts that have taken place since 9/11.
Related, I have finally created an associated blog for this newsletter. I felt it was important that this not be a one-way channel. And while people could always e-mail me back (and occasionally did), a blog – a web forum for comments and discussions – seems much more suitable. Specifically it seemed vital for the Special Edition. That said, please note that the blog (very elementary at the moment) is not specifically for Community of Christ, but for a much broader list, so don’t presume anyone will understand terminology specific to Community of Christ, not even religious language in general.
=== SPECIAL SECTION: ON THE 10TH ANNNIVERSARY OF 9/11 ===
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On September 12, 2001 this newsletter started with the following:
“After yesterday's horrific deaths due to terrorist action, this email endeavour would be remiss if it remained silent. Remembering that these emails are simply a forum for action and not in-depth analysis and discussion (needed as they are and available elsewhere), the following actions are given for your consideration:”
A link to the full email is below. But I wanted to highlight two notions for reflection as the tenth anniversary coverage unfolds, largely by posing questions. They are contained in the following two blog entries:
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First Consideration
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Here is the first snippet from the email of ten years ago:
“We can help bring a broader, more solid perspective into the overall dynamics . . .
(a) EMPATHY: Even as a Canadian, the sight of the massive towers collapsing, the loss of life, the vulnerability of even the Pentagon, was traumatic and jolting. And yet I had a hard time saying that "this email would be remiss" unless it is thus always remiss - violent deaths of innocent people occur daily around this planet. I am generally so insulated from all the suffering and violence . . . but at least here is an opening for empathy. We can try to channel the reaction to one of empathy and understanding for all those who are innocent yet traumatized for whatever reason . . . We have a gut-wrenching glimmer of what some people constantly face. Let's use it to build bridges and understanding and action.”
Read the remainder at Blog #1: Reflections for 9/11: Part I: Broadening Empathy
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Second Consideration
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Now, the second snippet from ten years ago:
“(b) ROOT CAUSES: While nothing could possibly justify the abhorrent terrorist acts, and terrorists need to be stopped, there are nonetheless root causes for the violence in this world. We can add our voices to those who suggest the only long-term way out of the spiral of violence, fear and hate is a more just sharing of the world's resources including issues of power.”
Read Blog #2: Reflections for 9/11: Part II: Factors Affecting the Shape of the Story
Original Email of September 12, 2001:
http://www.untilall.org/uwaa-10.htm
Original Full Essay of Further Reflections:
http://www.untilall.org/hopeful.htm
Original Skepticism of Iraq War Talk:
http://www.untilall.org/uwaa-21.htm
U.S. STUDENT GRANTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
If you want to work toward real change in your community and growing the social justice movement, Campus Progress provides campaign support and grants of up to $1,500 to young people working on strategic organizing and advocacy campaigns.
The deadline to apply is September 29, 2011. For more information or to apply for a grant visit http://www.campusprogress.org/actionalliance
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INTERESTED IN CREATING A LOGO?
I am hoping to update my website (www.UntilAll.org ). It really is more accurately described simply as a web repository, since it has never changed to modern web-site formatting and really just provides the most basic space for archiving reference articles. As part of that it will need a logo. If you are interested in creating one, please reply to this email and I will give you the basic idea. Your reward? Either some great Fair Trade chocolate or organic T-shirt or whatever else we can mutually agree on.
In appreciation and support,
Rod Downing