War is a crime.
Every moment we succumb to the temptation to deny the humanity of others, we are watering the seeds that will grow into the next war.
Dear friends: If, like me, you are reading and hearing about war crimes committed in Ukraine by the invasion force, I join you in grief, sorrow, and recommitting to the work for peace.
For war itself is a crime. I understand that certain actions even within this web of violence stand out as especially heinous and should be prosecuted as such. Now, in addition, I believe it is time for our human family to recognize that war itself is the fundamental crime against humanity.
War is the result of decisions to place power, territory, resources, and wealth, above the real and tangible humanity of fellow beings. It requires a conscious campaign of dehumanization that turns others into enemies or obstacles.
In this aspect, war and enslavement are fraternal twins. They both rest on convincing folk that someone else is less human than them. And they both require our willing complicity in this conviction.
We recognize the damage of bombs and weapons. We must also recognize the precondition for acts of war: the seeds of dehumanization that are planted in every instance of white supremacy, misogyny, homophobia, and fear-mongering about immigration. Every moment we succumb to the temptation to deny the humanity of others, we are watering the seeds that will grow into this war, and the next.
Humanizing everyone, all the time, remains one of the most fundamentally important actions we can take in our work for peace.
Stay safe and well, as much as you can, and know you are not alone.