I Am Tired

When it comes to engaging in social justice work, rest is vitally important. During this mid-summer retreat, I am feeling physically rested. As for spiritual rest-well that remains elusive.

I identify as afro-Puerto Rican. Meaning that I hold onto my identity as a Puerto Rican woman, while acknowledging my indigenous and African roots.  Those who know even a little bit of American history know about the centuries of violence inflicted on indigenous people and Africans.  

However, as horrific as the violence inflicted on black and brown bodies in the past was, what is disheartening is that this violence continues to be a part of American society. And it makes me angry. I am angry that another person of color-unarmed-has been killed by American police. I am angry because this seems like the beginning of script that we are all familiar with-angry protests, promises by law enforcement and government officials that a thorough investigation will be had only for those responsible to not be charged, to have charges dropped, or to be given a token sentence.  This familiar script simply reinforces the notion that in black and brown lives don’t actually matter. My life doesn’t matter.

I am tired of having to defend my worth and existence to a society that will always see people like me as thugs, thieves, and criminals no matter what we do. I am tired of having to pretend that everything is alright-that the continued violence against black and brown bodies doesn’t bother me.  The reality is the media only covers a fraction of the violence against black and brown bodies perpetrated by the state-the rest are often ignored or dismissed. In most cases, the official narrative is parroted without thought: the people killed were a threat, were thugs, and were worthless.  The larger society has the privilege of being able to pay attention to violence against black and brown bodies only when it makes national news. As a person of color, I don’t have that luxury. I hear about many of the local and insignificant deaths. The names that are printed in a short article and often forgotten by everyone but loved ones.  Their lives sniffed out and erased.  

Do their lives matter? I think their lives mattered, but society’s silence serves as a resounding no.

I have to go about my day fearing that I could one day be next.  I have to keep those fears silent and internalized knowing that I would be ridiculed for having them. What do I have to worry about? I just need to “act right,” not talk back, not “resist,” do what I am told; do what I am supposed to do. I just need to be quiet. But I know that sometimes doing “everything right,” isn’t enough. That because of the color of my skin, my life could be snuffed out and my death considered justified.

I am physically rested. But I am spiritually tired and broken. And no amount of time off is going to heal me.  I need the violence to stop. I need the deaths to stop. I need the worth of people of color to be affirmed. I need my life to be affirmed.  I wonder, does the Church hear my suffering? Does the Church care?

The Church's silence is deafening.

Moving in God’s grace

“What is grace?” I haven’t really thought of the meaning behind this word that much until this summer. I realized how blessed we humans are and how beautiful it is to receive the grace of God, this gift of endless love, mercy, acceptance and forgiveness that God gives to us, to everyone! no matter if we are “good” or “bad”.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

The “secret of grace” and “secret of the kingdom” were the focus of camp Chandler - Alabama. This camp helped me to realize how we all experience grace in our lives and how to think about offering grace to others around us, to all people, even when it’s too hard to give it to who we think don’t deserve it, people who we don’t like, people who are different from us and people who heart us. Those people that we think are bad and are not a part of God’s kingdom are in fact are. God goes out to seek the lost. God finds us and comes into our hearts and love us and bring us home. God makes a decision for us. God comes into our world to invite us to join in God’s Kingdom building. We don’t find God, God finds us. God isn’t lost; we are.  That’s the secret of the Kingdom. The kingdom isn’t about our leaving this world to go be with God. It’s about God coming into our world and choosing to be with us.

This camp was amazing! The nature of it, the lake, the trees and the weather were absolutely beautiful. It was kind of a small, quiet compared to my first camp but it was more close. Those thirty high school camper are such insightful, mature and smart people and I enjoyed meeting them a lot.

At Peace and Justice night, I got the chance to give my workshop to the whole camp and it was great. Everyone was interested and involved and I loved it. They were really affected by the story and they were so eager to come and visit this holy land and walk in the same places that Jesus walked in. At the ending worship we had a kind of Palestinian communion with pita bread and tea which are the usual type of bread and drink to us and I said the institution words in Arabic! It was the first time I ever do such a thing since we are not used to the idea of the involvement of females with church in general. It was actually a great feeling! Also, I had my first Tie Dye t-shirt and I swam and paddled in that gorges lake.

I am overwhelmed by this camp’s hospitality, generosity and love! The staff and the director were really awesome people! I love you Alabama!

Courage to Embrace Equity

image2

A few years ago, I made my first trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and stood in awe next to Lake Michigan. Even before that first visit, I had always been intrigued by the Great Lakes. Then, the natural wonder that I had only ever read about became a concrete, tangible reality exposing itself to all my senses. Moving forward to this past week at Dunkirk Camp in New York, I felt an overwhelming awe once again as I sat next to one of God's most amazing natural wonders. If all of God's majesty can be found in a single grain of sand, when the paintbrush turns to create something like Lake Eerie, it can easily overwhelm the senses. As Friedrich Schleiermacher might claim, it approaches intuiting the infinite.In all the natural beauty, I found myself discerning how to make palatable a very real component of modern society - privilege. Sitting on the beach during sunset on Lake Eerie had me looking around and considering all of those individuals who cannot afford such an experience. While some camps have avenues to allowing under-privileged young people the opportunity to go to camp through scholarships, these allowances become the exception for the community they represent. How does one teach privilege when it is not just a matter of economic wealth? How does one see past the lenses of apathy and complacency created by their own privilege to find momentum to change societal structures in such a way that provides greater and more equitable opportunity? The sunset on Lake Eerie, beautiful as it was, did not answer. Instead, it provided even more questions.

Going camp to camp this summer highlights one resounding theme - camps are very Caucasian and often represent a vast majority who have the economic means or avenues of privilege to go to camp. Yes, it may be that in some situations families have worked extra hard in order to provide such an opportunity for their kids. Yes, earned income is not usually easy income and because of this, accepting privilege becomes a matter of understanding that it does not correlate to how hard one works. This means that a discussion on privilege finds barriers before it ever makes it to understanding.

Writing this blog comes from a calm, quiet reflection during mid-summer retreat. It comes from a place where I myself feel quite privileged. Looking back not just on my most immediate camp experience but to all of them thus far, I wonder what our denomination can be doing to create more equitable avenues to a true state of inclusivity. A conversation a few weeks ago continues to have me considering what it might look like for our denomination to truly diversify. Specifically, I wonder how an entire denomination is expected to diversify when that diversity does not always equate to financial sustainability at church level.

Imagine a new church start that brings in members of color and varieties of non-binary gender conforming or non-hetero normative people. Marginalization of these groups can perhaps leave the congregation as a whole financially bankrupt from the start. Yet in a movement toward churches without walls, we begin to see that this is most common in the church that exists for the marginalized and low-income. I believe sitting on the shore of Lake Eerie, I was gifted this pondering. We as a denomination can be doing more to afford opportunities to the marginalized. Our future as a denomination demands it.

Sunset at Dunkirk

My family group at Dunkirk talked about a few of these issues. This was easily the most fulfilling part of my visit. Again I was surprised by the depth of consideration young people can give during a reflection on equity and equality. If our young people can give such a consideration to these very real and tough issues, why can we not be doing more? When churches fail not because of lack of mission or membership but because of financial strain, we fail as a denomination. A church without walls, for example, can stand as a church with a minister who acts by vocation. Progressive as our denomination may be, this seems unacceptable and outdated. I believe in a vision that creates more equitable distribution of resources so that Pastors in even the most marginalized communities are sustainable. I believe in a future that allows for any and every child in our denomination to go to church camp regardless of financial disposition to afford such an opportunity. I believe, friends, that we can be doing a better job of distributing resources in a more equitable way throughout our denomination

.The young people of Dunkirk were so willing to enter this conversation. My job this summer is to inspire such conversations about society at large, but I am failing if I do not invite our entire denomination to also engage is this very conversation.  I find myself reflecting on equity when there are congregations with huge endowments and who also hold valuable idealized visions to serve the marginalized but perhaps do not know the best means to do so. I ask where there is equality without figuring out equity together as a denomination. I ask those reading this - what can you do in your home congregations to support Pastors serving by vocation and create a space for all children to experience summer camp? How might your own church help support the efforts of other financially strained churches? Are you a church that is itself financially strained? If so, what do you see as equitable for our denominational future? You, friends, are the answer(s) to these difficult questions.

As I continue my discussions this summer on privilege, I remind myself regularly that the marginalized do not have the convenience of remaining apathetic or indifferent. Nor should they ever engage in the luxury of complacency, as Martin Luther King, Jr. so eloquently stated. My hope is that those who are able to set aside these difficult conversations because they are unaffected will come realize that there are groups who cannot do so. It is for this reason we are called to care. My friends, it is for this reason we have such a peace intern program. My youthful family at Dunkirk entered this conversation with me, so I ask - will you join us in the conversation?

Blessings,
Matthew

Dear American History Teacher

What were you thinking?

At one of my camps this month, a camper in my cabin saw me using deodorant. She said, "I thought you guys didn't use deodorant."I was a little confused so I asked, "What do you mean?"

"My history teacher said that you guys don't use deodorant and don't shave."

After some more discussion it was clarified that the "you guys" referred to Muslims.This was after this camper had attended one of my workshops and learned that I am Palestinian.I had assumed that being at a Christian summer camp as a Peace Intern of the Disciples Peace Fellowship would make it blatantly obvious that I am Christian, but guess not. Since I'm Arab I must be Muslim, right?Wrong.I began explaining to her that:1. I am not Muslim. &2. Arabs (Muslim and Chrisitan) use deodorant and shave.Why exactly her history teacher felt the need to mention that completely false statement to her class and what it has to do with history, I do not know. But I do know, being an Arab myself, that if there was ever an award for the most obsessively clean culture it would be given to the Arab one.Not only do Arabs care about hygiene, they are also some of the most hospitable and kind people around. But, unfortunately, that truth is not something they teach in school.So.Dear American History Teacher,I don't know where you get your information from, but it's not correct. I urge you to reeducate yourself in order to accurately educate your youth. Because I hate to break it to you, but Islamophobia is a thing. (It might even be the result of your false teaching.) And it's something you need to deal with because of the Arabs (Muslim and Christian) who live in the States and seem to be staying there. Some things you should know are:

• Not all Arabs are Muslim. &

• Not all Muslims are Arab. (Only 20% of Muslims are Arab. The majority are Indonesian, Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi.)

It is amazing how much the Western media dehumanizes Arabs. At my camps I have been trying to rectify the skewed image of Arabs, but it doesn't help if these kids are being fed lies in school.People fear the unknown. Let's educate ourselves and get one step closer to peace.Sincerely,An Arab Christian

Labels Matter

As the nation celebrates the July 4th weekend, many Americans will enjoy hanging out with friends, a day off from work, and watching the fireworks. The founding fathers are in American lore, portrayed as revolutionaries and freedom fighters throwing off the chains of British imperialism and oppression. One word that will not be used to describe America’s founding fathers? Terrorists. Despite the fact that the very people that are revered in American history advocated the violent overthrow of the government, popular American thought treats them as heroes.  But what if independence never happened? What if, those who advocated for the violent overthrow of the British government lost? They would be remembered as traitors, spies, and when the term terrorist came into fashion, they would be remembered and written about as terrorists.  How we label an event, whether an event that happened in the recent past or centuries before, matters.

This week at camp, I was able to have discussions with campers about terrorism-what actions are considered to fall under that umbrella and who gets to decide whether an action, a person, or a group get labeled terrorists.  In one of my interest groups, I read to them four different scenarios. I read the scenarios multiple times, each time, I provided a different context or background. In one reading I just read the scenario as I had written it, in the next I read a quote from a Muslim extremist organization that seemed to fit with the scenario, and finally I revealed that the various scenarios I had written were in fact based on Bible stories. Some of the stories are a cherished part of Christian and Jewish faith, others are verses and stories we prefer to ignore. Each time I read the scenario and provided a different context I asked the campers, “is this an act of terrorism? Why or why not?”

I was surprised to find that even though the scenarios were based on scripture, the campers didn’t automatically justify the stories or Bible verses as being “just” but they were willing to grapple with the question of whether the Scripture that we hold so dear, has stories that endorse violence. They were willing to question whether or not some of the stories in the text, could today, be labeled as terrorism. Of course the purpose of this exercise isn’t to justify terrorism or violent action in any form-but it is meant to get campers to realize that “terrorism” is a complex subject based less on objective analysis and more on questions of power-who has to the power to label certain actions as terrorism while describing other actions, even those in which civilians are killed and targeted, as heroic. Or in the case of the Bible, these stories become part of a sacred text.

I will say this again, how we label something or someone matters.  In the West, “terrorism” is most often associated with the actions of violent Muslim extremists groups or individuals. As a result, the label terrorist has taken on a specific racial, religious, and cultural meaning. This means that a shooting by someone who is Muslim, looks Muslim, or is from a predominantly Muslim country will be investigated and labeled a terrorist attack while a shooting by a white male against people of color with the stated purpose of starting a race war, will be investigated as murder and as a hate crime.

This association of terrorism with Islam means that Western governments will justify torturing suspected terrorists, holding them in isolation with limited contact with family, friends, and the outside world without officially charging them, and blanket surveillance of Muslim communities, in the name of “national security.” Labeling someone or an action as falling under the umbrella of terrorism is not just an issue of semantics, but it is also a justice issue.  The campers this week understood this, why do so many of us adults have such a hard time understanding this?

Walking Together Toward Truth

Every minute of being in Iowa has been lovely. This camp, Camp 15 at the Christian Conference Center, has quirky and thoughtful youth with obvious eagerness to be engaged and to learn. I can't exactly understand how 60+ people became a family for me in a new state in only one week, but that's definitely the case. The camp directors are two incredible men named Randy and Bill. Both of them love the youth with all they have, and I know that every camper here feels valuable and special because of their devotion to them. Randy is practically addicted to kindness, always reaching out to give a high-five with supportive words. Bill is a thoughtful teacher, prepared to unwrap the gifts that each person brings to the table at any moment. Last night was the camp talent show. I must admit, my first thought was What the heck kind of camp is this? as I watched a girl twirl flaming batons outside for the opening act. That was followed by a comedy act, 2 songs from the amazing musical Hamilton, a moving poem written by a camper at 4 am, and other musical pieces that blew me away. We saw the whole spectrum last night, and vulnerability and humor seemed to coalesce perfectly as we enjoyed time with one another. This display of talent and support and love—this remarkable act of community—it's the very stuff of peace. This week, I talked with the campers about the death penalty and the criminal justice system, but I also got to shape-up some other workshops and talk to them about the proposal to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, as well as the ways that popular media intertwines with justice work (often in harmful ways). The workshop regarding Harriet Tubman was excellent, because it opened up conversations about narratives in the U.S., what democracy really means, who Andrew Jackson was, representation of women and their contributions to history, and race and privilege in America. Some youth admitted to being uncomfortable about seeing her face on the bill, so we discussed why change is tough but necessary for the whole. No amount of discomfort can truly stand up against a more inclusive world, in which all people are valued and valuable. This conversation was also important for the sake of waking us up to every-day “norms” that we don't really think twice about. Whether we think about our currency or see the faces on them or not, it is engraved into our psyche that “democracy” is a result of white, land-owning men, rather than countless people of all races and statuses building this nation together. There was another interest group this week called “Porch Rap,” in which the campers sit with Randy and discuss current events. I always had to give my workshop during this time, but I heard that one day was particularly hard for them—the day they discussed racism. Apparently there were some intense arguments that left everyone feeling like they were “walking on glass.” Some campers came away looking exhausted, hopeless, and guilty. The next day in my peace workshop, we discussed why it is so hard to talk about race. We mentioned the polarizing media and the guilt that is inevitably produced by these discussions, but we also agreed that guilt is a pretty useless emotion and not the goal of these hard conversations. I carry a quote around with me everywhere I go: “Praise the authentic moments of walking together toward truth.” We are learning together this week that no one has the monopoly on truth. We need each other and we need to be opened, always seeking truth together rather than on a “side.” I love you Iowa! Thank you for a week I'll never forget!

Christianity and Islam

Two of the activities that I use in workshops are formatted as games and center around Bible verses and the Quran and some central beliefs in Christianity and Islam. In the first activity the students have to guess whether a given statement is from the Bible or from the Quran. Some campers have a good grasp of the Bible or the Quran and found the activity relatively easy. Others, however struggled. I intentionally chose verses and ayahs that sounded similar, especially when they discussed violence.  also pointed out to verses in the Quran that talk about peace and caring for others.

In the media we often hear about how violent Islam and the Quran are.  The public discourse surrounding Islam and the Quran seems to imply that Islam created terrorism and violence.  Violence in Christian or Jewish texts are often ignored. Or in the case of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) Christians dismiss that section of the Bible as if it were irrelevant. Or some say, “of course the Old Testament is violent…” ignoring books like Revelation in the New Testament. Or, some Christians state, “well you need to take violent Bible verses in their context,” while not extending the same curtesy to the Quran.

In this activity, by contrasting and comparing the Bible and Quran I hope to open campers eyes to the ways in which violence and peace are described in both texts. This often jumpstarts a discussion on islamophobia in the United States and how violence and terrorism are not limited to Islam or to non-state actors.  My favorite part of the activity is watching the surprised look on campers face when a verse they thought was in the Quran turns out to be from the Bible or vice versa. I am also inspired by how willing the campers are to engage in tough discussions about violence in a text they consider to be sacred.

My second activity is similar to the first one, except that it asks students to decide whether a belief is Islamic, Christian or both. For example, I might say, “Belief: Jesus is awesome” and the campers have to decide whether that is something that only Muslims believe, that only Christians believe or if it is something shared by both faiths. I of course mention that Christianity and Islam are both complicated and diverse religions and that in this game I have to simplify that complexity. But it has been fascinating to see how campers react to certain beliefs. For example, many are amazed at some of the similarities between Christianity and Islam. Such as the belief that Jesus is a prophet, a belief in one God etc. But they are also intrigued by some differences. The Quran for instances denies Jesus’ crucifixion and death. The discussion after the activity often leads to questions surrounding how Christians should treat Muslims in light of the similarity and differences amongst the two religions.  In the two camps I have been to so far, many of the campers I have met have not had sustained interactions with Muslims, yet it is extremely heartening to hear them say that they reject the common narrative that Islam is inherently violent or that terrorism is simply a Muslim problem.  Many are willing to examine and critique the violence done in the name of their own religion by Nation-states, individuals, and small groups.

Peace is complicated. Peace is a long, drawn out process. But I believe that one step in creating a more just and peaceful world requires a rejection of villainizing those who look, believe, or act differently than us. I am thrilled to see how many high schoolers could teach us adults a thing or two about acceptance.

My voice is Peace

My voice is Peace, my voice is Love, my voice is Unity.Peace to the land that is created for peace and never saw it. As a Palestinian Christian who lived her entire life under occupation, all I want, dream and pray for is peace. It’s never easy but it’s worth working for.

I’m Minerva Halteh, one of the Disciples Peace Fellowship intern this summer, I had an amazing, fruitful and extremely busy training week with my fellow interns in which we had the pleasure to meet with global ministries, DOC representatives and the General Minister and President of the Christian Church – Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins and learn all about the great work they do.

Our new journey is about to start.  We pray to God to take away our fear and uncertainty and to give us the strength, power and patience to spread the message of love and peace everywhere we go.“

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.”

Minerva  

Hope in a Violent and Hateful World

My academic areas of research focus on Islamophobia and terrorism (of all kinds, not just Islamist terrorism). Meaning that normally, I spend a good portion of my day examining the dark side of humanity: the hatred towards Muslims shown by some in the US and Europe, the violence that take place in numerous parts of the world by both non-state terrorists groups and by nation-states, who often kill civilians in the so-called “war on terror.” When so much of your time is spent focusing on the very worst of humanity-it can be difficult believe that hope and goodness exists.

However, my week at Camp Couchdale with the Great River Region served as a reminder that despite the amount of hate and violence in the world-there are people, from across the political and theological spectrum who refuse to fall into the “US vs Them” mentality endorsed by terrorists and increasingly, by numerous western governments.  I spent the week talking about islamophobia and terrorism and I was heartened by how many of the youth rejected the dominant media narrative that “all Muslims are terrorists.” Some pointed to personal experiences they have had with Muslims, while others instinctively knew how unfair it is to demonize a whole group of people based on the actions of the few.  I didn’t have to tell them that violence and terrorism wasn’t limited to Islam, many told me about instances in which Christians have committed horrific actions in the name of God, yet they refuse to believe that those Christian group and individuals speak for them. Likewise, the campers argued that Muslim terrorists don’t speak for all Muslims.

I was humbled by the campers’ willingness to talk about difficult subjects; very few people want to examine the ways in which their own religion has inspired some to commit horrific acts of violence. I was also inspired by the campers’ openness to learning about Islam. The campers welcomed me and my message with open arms. Even when disagreement arose, as it always does, they were respectful of differing opinions and they were open to learning. In turn, they taught me about hope and radical acceptance for “the other”-which in this case were Muslims who are often vilified as terrorists.The areas that I focus on in my academic research show me the dark side of humanity, my week at Camp Couchdale with the Great River Region youth, reminded me that hope and God’s presence can still be found.

Naiomi Gonzalez

A physical reminder of the beauty of the world…

Power, Love, and Self-discipline

This has been one of the longest weeks of my life, by far.

Crossing time zones is never fun, but I think I’ve finally adjusted to the western time zone! Yay! We learned so much and met so many amazing people during our training week. What an honor it was to meet global missionaries, DPF executives, representatives of different DoC ministries and former peace interns.

As we set out to a heavily scheduled summer of church camps, I am filled with excitement and fear. Excited for the new friendships and the new places I will get to experience, and nervous about the unknown that is tied to all of that.

“But God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.”

So this is my prayer for myself and for my fellow peace interns.We know that peace does not come easy. It is not the natural response to tragedy or violence. So as we head out, I pray that we all seek a better understanding of the intricate and complex thing that is peace, and the power, love, and self discipline that comes along with it.Will you pray with me?

Rachel Shomali

Kamp Kaleo Experience

Kamp Kaleo,

Photo courtesy of Holly Gage-Hennecke

You have renewed my spirit. Through sweat, exhaustion, and the sweltering Nebraskan summer heat, there was laughter, fun, kindness, generosity, and a whole lotta love. My heart moved into this week heavy knowing I must be present with these young folks while simultaneously processing the grief and mourning I hold for the lost lives in Orlando. Yet I could not have hoped for a better place to mourn than Kamp Kaleo.

As a peace intern, it is hard to talk about justice in the abstract. What is true justice? How do we accomplish it? Who holds the elusive knowledge of absolute justice? How does anyone teach justice in the abstract? Yet these campers have shown that when our hearts open, the deep mysteries become less mysterious. Mourning the tragic loss of life didn't limit itself only to the victims but expanded to include the one responsible with prayers of healing for all.

Day one at Kamp Kaleo showed me a spirit in Nebraska that makes my heart smile. As a peace intern traveling from a land far far away, every camp becomes a place where we are welcomed as strangers in a new land. As part of my workshop this week, I taught on the passage of Sodom and Gomorrah and spoke about how hospitality really seems to be the key to understanding such a complicated text. Hospitality to strangers resounds like a guiding bell through the fog of the Torah, yet it is so easy to have lost a sense of just what hospitality means.

Hospitality - opening the arms wide open. Making strangers family. Welcoming those wholly different as your own. The only condition of welcome being the lack of preconditions. Yes!

As I look to tomorrow and my next camp where I will be a complete stranger, I depend once again on hospitality. It is with both faith and hope that I imagine those open arms to be there, and with eagerness that I look forward to knowing a new community. As I look forward, I take with me an awesome experience from Kamp Kaleo.

Much love, Kamp Kaleo!

Matthew

Reflecting on Tragedy

This internship holds so many responsibilities alongside huge amounts of exciting opportunities. This blog is being authored through a welcomed exhaustion that holds with it wonderful amounts of spiritual fulfillment. Yet my heart is heavy. Peace... oh wonderful, beautiful, radical peace! Won't you be with us all?

The huge responsibility of stepping into the shoes of peace internship is to have a deep sense of just what peace actually is. Sometimes the harder we try to grasp at it, the less concrete it becomes. Inner and outer peace are wonderful ideals that we hold as this sort of end goal to achieving some type of heightened oneness or spiritual being, yet peace is hard.

As I write these words, I mourn the loss of so many who have been named in the news with the shooting in Orlando, Florida. Members of the LGBTQI community have endured a heavy and oppressive history that now includes yet one more tragedy. In the storm of this mourning, I also mourn the victims of history who were never named publically. I also still embrace peace. Perhaps peace is what prevents tragedies like this. Perhaps peace is what truly releases the heart.

I stand in solidarity with the community that I call my own. More than standing with my community, I wish I understood better how a tragedy like this could have been prevented. Was there a breakdown in inner peace? In outer peace? In being passed peace? While these questions cannot ease any sadness or change any events of the past, can they possibly create a brighter future?

As I consider these things, I hope you will also ponder them with me. Peace to you, my unknown friends. Please pass it along in some way. It only takes a spark...

Blessings,
Matthew