Be the change you seek
Mr. Rogers' mother told him, as a child, to look for the helpers. As adults, we must become them.
Dear friends:
As I write, our human family remains in shock, grief, and anger over the Russian war on Ukraine. So-called leaders use this tragedy to score political points. We see some of the very worst of our nature on display, side-by-side with the best.
Many want to make the people of Ukraine who are fighting back into heroes. And I admire their grit and determination. But I am deeply saddened that they have been pushed to violence. Violent action damages those who commit it, no matter what the cause. Every combat veteran knows this.
We risk telling ourselves the story of heroic citizen fighters as a way to comfort ourselves. Cheering on these courageous folk is not the same as actually working for peace. As a child, Mr. Rogers’ mother famously told him to “look for the helpers.” It’s true, there are always helpers in the midst of tragedy.
Now that we are adults, the generation in power and privilege, we must BE the helpers. It is no longer enough to stand by and cheer, or shake our heads in disbelief.
So what can we do? First and foremost, we insist that the political and economic systems that support violent and authoritarian leaders be dismantled. We fight for accountability for leaders who use violent tactics to fuel their corruption and greed. We do this at home and abroad. We use all nonviolent means at our disposal. We refuse to be subjected to misinformation campaigns. We refuse to be pawns in the games of the powerful. We protect the right to vote. We hold fast to the knowledge that we are all human, all connected, all valuable; and no leaders, anywhere in the world, should be above the law.
If invasion is seen as a viable tactic anywhere in the world, none of us are safe. By the time a dictator uses violence, there have been too many missed opportunities to stop their rise to power. We intervene early.
In our own dear country, an accountability process is well underway, seeking transparency and justice for those who tried to subvert the results of the 2020 election. Anyone who is serious about stopping the disaster of war in Ukraine should be equally serious about holding those responsible for the violent attack on Congress in January of 2021 accountable for their actions. Authoritarianism everywhere is connected.
So are efforts for peace, equality, and inclusion.
Be the change we seek, at home and around this beautiful planet of ours.
Stay safe and well.