Existential Psychosis, Peace, & War - Democratic Underground

H2O Man

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Fri Jul-30-10 08:06 PM
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Existential Psychosis, Peace, & War

“I myself have no power. It's the people behind me who have the power. Real power comes only from the Creator. It's in His hands. But if you're asking about strength, not power, then I can say that the greatest strength is gentleness.”
--Tadodaho Leon Shenandoah

This photo is one that my cousin (D.U.er “Mr. Baggins) took of Uncle Leon the day that the NYS Museum & Department of Education returned a number of wampum belts to Onondaga. It was a very pleasant day, with people from many backgrounds uniting for a ceremony in the Long House. Although there were many people from various walks of life gathered together, we were of one mind: the common good of all, including respect for those different from ourselves. Members of many of the Tribes of Human-Kind, with different histories, yet a common Human Future.

The atmosphere on this forum, in the past 24 to 48 hours, has been largely the opposite. Arguments, bitterness, and insults are precipitating growing divides here.

The belt that Leon is looking at is ancient. It details the teachings of a Susquehannock man named Hiawatha, who was born on what we know today as Three Mile Island. In the 1930s, an anthropologist from Cornell University who heard of this requested that a group of Elders from Onondaga travel to that island with him, to explain the significance of this site.

The belt, which represents the Second Message ( Sapling was approximately 2400 bc, and the Peace Maker's message about 400 ad; this was 900 ad), shows the five nations of the original Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois Confederacy. In the middle, representing Onondaga, is the image of a White Pine tree. If you look closely, you'll note it also represents a Jack's Reef pentagonal projectile point. Weapons of war, of course, were buried under the roots of the Tree of Peace. We find that tree in mythology around the globe.

Those five nations had differences. They were in a time of turmoil, complete with arguments, bitterness, insults, and violent conflict. Alone, Hiawatha taught, each was like a lone finger on a hand, which their enemy could easily break. Together, they formed a powerful fist, capable of protecting all of their interests. Yet the strength of that powerful fist was not found in its capacity for violence: rather, it was in risking gentleness, peace, and searching for those areas where people could be of one mind.

Wouldn't it be interesting – and, indeed, worth the risk – to take the time and make the effort on this forum to reach that higher ground?

No matter what your age, sex, sexual preferences, education, employment status, weight, ethnic background, belief system or lack thereof …..wouldn't it be worth the time and effort?

What would it require? First, I think mutual respect. There are obviously a few characters on this forum, from time to time, who aren't here to advocate unity or progress in the social and political arenas. But most of us are. Even when we disagree. Even when we strongly disagree.

There is another belt that comes to mind: the Two-Row Wampum Belt. The Iroquois made it with the Dutch government long ago, but its meaning is still solid. It represents two boats navigating the same river. It is, of course, that river of life. Two boats: the Europeans in their boat, and the Iroquois canoe. Side-by-side. Different, equal, with mutual respect. Maybe there are more than two boats in some of the issues discussed here, but the concept holds.

Treating one another with respect and being willing to consider that others may be sincere in their various opinions will not resolve all disagreements immediately. But it might dissolve the hostility, which could create an atmosphere where we can all move forward.

Finally, it takes no more energy to do so, than to engage in destructive arguments.

Peace,
H2O Man

PS: Please sing this song with me tonight & tomorrow. It's from the Prophet Bob Marley's 1976 album, “Rastaman Vibration.” The lyrics to the song are from Haile Selassie's speech to the United Nation's General Assembly in 1963:

What life has taught me
I would like to share with
Those who want to learn ….

Until the philosophy which holds one race
Superior and another inferior
Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned
Everywhere is war

That until there are no more first class
And second class citizens of any nation
Until the color of a man's skin
Is of no more significance than the color of his eyes
Me say war

That until basic human rights are equally
Guaranteed to all, without regard to race
Dis a war

That until that day
The dream of lasting peace, world citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion
To be pursued, but never obtained
Now everywhere is war …..