“We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each others children.”
This quote (one of my favorites) from former President Jimmy Carter, sums up my feelings about war and violence. People say things like “there have always been wars,” and “there are ‘good’ wars and bad wars, and good wars can’t be avoided.” I disagree. I know I’m in the minority, and it’s not politically correct to say, but I think that after thousands and thousands of years, we should be able to find a better way to settle our differences than going to war. When I talk to groups about interpersonal relations, resolving conflict, and getting along with others, I sift through lots of articles, research and theories about the topic. I always wonder why we can’t apply these same tactics to help countries, and the world, resolve their differences.
So go ahead, tell me I’m naive and a dreamer. I know I’m oversimplifying. But I still hope and dream.
In libraries, as in other places of business, and in our lives, our homes, and all our relationships, we should all strive to get along with others. I know I work at it every day, usually failing, but often eventually reminding myself to listen to others, try to eliminate the problem, not the person, take the blame for my own part of the problem, and all the other tactics out there. It’s not easy. But the stakes are high. They are even higher when we talk about things like racial conflict, and war. Really, can’t we all just get along?
This post was written in response to the Words Crush Wednesday Favorite Quotes Challenge. You might want to check it out.
A Life in Libraries 
I wholeheartedly agree. Too many people seem stuck thinking that their opinions are the only right opinions. Getting along with anyone takes work, honesty with one’s self and the willingness to compromise and cooperate. Not always easy, but so worth it in my humble opinion.
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Thanks for validating my point of view. I agree, it’s not easy, and I know I’m not very good at it myself, but I do try! Thanks for stopping by–please come again!
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I too don’t always succeed gracefully, but like you I keep trying. And I will stop by again and browse your blog more thoroughly.
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Reblogged this on aromaticcoffees and commented:
Very profound article. Thank you.
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Thanks for the reblog! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
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I was thinking about this the other day – the news makes the world seem a dark and unfriendly place. But then I looked at it inn a different way. Yes there are conflicts and atrocities being committed all over the world. And every effort should be made to continue to try and stop them all.
But – we are not going down hill, its not and endless struggle without hope.
Compare this century so far. The first 15 years. I wonder how many have died in conflicts so far? A lot to be sure.
But compare that to the first 15 years of the 20th Century. I don’t know the figures but I would hazard a guess that its far more – we were in the middle of World War One.
When you look at that way – things are better – not perfect – but better.
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It would appear you are right: . I hadn’t thought of it that way, at all, ever. But, I still think the toll today is too high. I’d like to think we’ve learned something from the mistakes of history, and could figure out a way to reduce the toll to ZERO. But thanks for helping me to understand things may be getting “better–not perfect–but better.”
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I totally agree with nonviolence but I disagree with the idea that we are better off. We are desensitized to the violence is all.The methods of war are different now, it really can’t be compared as apples to apples. In WW one, both sides had ground troops dying which led to the count. There was never the capability of “war by remote” before this century which lessens the numbers in the military and collateral damage (elderly, women and children causalities) aren’t being counted definitively by the armed forces (they’ve admitted large gaps in their numbers), I don’t think one number can really be compared to another in that case.
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Excellent points, Trudy. Additionally, my post was also about violence in general. I haven’t studied stats on that, either, but my sense is that there is more violence and death in our communities, that is not related to war.
Thanks for stopping by–please come again!
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I was responding to your comment as well as the house of bailey about more death in the previous century’s first 15 years through war. I also feel its how we as a society is socializing our children to not value humanity and becoming more and more desensitized to violence and the escape of consequences as seen in media. Great topic to delve into. But thanks again for responding
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Totally agree! So many things need to change before we live in a nonviolent world. My PhD explored the implications of a philosophy of nonviolence for youth workers. It was great to immerse myself in the nonviolence literature!
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Thanks, Graeme, and thanks for the link to your great post.
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Great Post. There is that wonderful saying. ‘Before we speak we must ask ourselves if what we are going to say is kind, true, necessary.’ With practice of this we surely could create much of peace and harmony.
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Thanks for that great quote. And it should be so easy to do, shouldn’t it. Thanks for stopping by!
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