Environment
Campaign Nonviolence: A Call to Transformation
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Why do I engage in nonviolent direct action? Because I believe that through it we can be transformed and can contribute to the transformation of the world.
Culture
She shouldn't have been so flirtatious. He shouldn't have worn a hoodie. They shouldn't have voted for Hamas …
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Victim-blaming is as American as apple pie. And unfortunately, we’ve been reminded of this repeatedly over the past month via high-profile cases and global crises. Or rather, we’ve been reminded by the way in which a mostly white, mostly patriarchal middle class has responded to such events. Women have been blamed for being victims of domestic abuse and assault, black men have been blamed for being victims of police brutality and murder, and innocent Palestinian children have been blamed for being killed my missiles.
Contrary to those who dismiss victim-blaming as a liberal misinterpretation of the good old American boostrap-pulling ethic, this phenomenon has been in existence in this country for as long as there have been those in power seeking to maintain that status, buttressed by racist and sexist ideals.
Culture
A New Peer Youth Emerges in Transforming the World
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After twenty-year-old Daniel Pierce was disowned by his family when he came out as gay, a peer community of youth arose on social media to stand by his side. Warren Blumenfeld reflects on the youth’s approach and the modern generation’s determination in eradicating oppression.
Education
Sudden Calls for 'Civility' Threaten Academic Freedom After Palestinian-American Professor Fired
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The University of Illinois recently fired Steven Salaita for his severe critiques of Israel on Twitter. After his firing the administration released a statement on how they value civility, which triggered university presidents across the country to echo similar statements on civility in relation to free speech. David Harris-Gershon reflects on whether academic institutions are rapidly suppressing the principle of academic freedom.
Non-Violent Communication (NVC)
Beale Charges Dropped
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Non-violent demonstrations in Beale, California, the home of the Global Hawk Drone, a surveillance drone that identifies targets for armed Predator and Reaper drones, will continue. History has shown that sustained nonviolent resistance is an effective means of social transformation.
Interfaith
Why the Network of Spiritual Progressives?
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We have a clear vision for how to move our world toward a politics of love and care, and we are already hard at work to turn that vision into a reality. We invite you to join us in casting off the ethos of scarcity and individualism that global capitalism requires and step with joy into a new understanding of the abundance and power that is already in our hands.
Christianity
Letter to Pope Francis on Obliterating the Gender Scripts
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Warren Blumenfeld asks Pope Francis to uses his influence and power to turn away from adhering to and promoting society’s gender roles.
Education
Empathy Workshops in Oregon
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This weekend Rabbi Michael Lerner will be the keynote speaker for the Awards Dinner at the Peace House in Ashland, Oregon. Michael and Cat Zavis, executive director of NSP, will then co-lead two separate workshops on empathy.
Culture
6 Reasons that Debunk the Myth of Islam Promoting Hatred of Jews and Christians
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Some Muslims use the Quran verse, “O You who have believed! Do not take the Jews and Christians as your allies (Auliya). They are allies of one another. He among you who takes them for allies is one of them. God does not guide the oppressive folks” as a way to justify hatred towards Jews. Ro Waseem uses his knowledge of the Quran to dismantle this myth.
Education
School Resegregation Since Brown and Different Languages of Race
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Warren Blumenfeld reflects on the history of segregation in US schools since Brown v. Board of Education., highlighting that the persistent inequities in education are rooted in and continue because of our society’s racial inequality.