Our hearts are broken by the widespread violence and suffering in so many corners of the world. We know that power, trauma, and violence are playing out in ways that are horrific and dehumanize us all. At IISC, we try to name the pain and still create space for love, healing, and imagining transformation. We don’t want to offer a statement; we will continue our work to facilitate spaces for solace and repair as we stand against violence and build peace and belonging. And we offer guidance and inspiration from organizers, writers, and others who share courage and resilience in daunting times. Here are a few, starting with writers and activists James Baldwin and adrienne marie brown. And we will add others as they come to our attention.
The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.
James Baldwin, Nothing Personal
If the goal was to increase the love, rather than winning or dominating a constant opponent, I think we could actually imagine liberation from constant oppression. We would suddenly be seeing everything we do, everyone we meet, not through the tactical eyes of war, but through eyes of love.
adrienne maree brown, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds