American Imperialism: Who Benefits, Who Suffers?
featuring Medea Benjamin
We are honored to host a talk by Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code-Pink and Global Exchange. She is the key-note speaker at this year's Peace-Stock. Learn more about the costs of being the "world's policeman".
About Medea
Medea Benjamin has been an advocate for social justice for more than 40 years. Described as "one of America's most committed -- and most effective -- fighters for human rights" by New York Newsday. She received numerous prizes, including: the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize from the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Peace Prize by the US Peace Memorial, the Gandhi Peace Award, and the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation Award. She is a former economist and nutritionist with the United Nations and World Health Organization.
Kristen's 5 Steps for Effective Activism
from "Protecting the Places We Love" June 17, 2018
CARE - When we accept the calling to care for the places we love, we take responsibility, come to stand for what we care about through public action, commitment is catching. It has a power and dynamic of its own.
PREPARE - We do our research, shape and frame a message, know you will have to educate.. Know your allies and your adveraries equally well. Have a plan, be open to learn from others.
SHARE -Here, we come together - share responsibility. We are more effective, accountable for word and deed, together. Be open and learn from others. Particularly, watch for the arising of what you have to say, must say. Listen. Notice what it feels like when something wants to be heard through you. Learn to trust that. We are generous with our time and talent, but know we can't do it all. We need each other.
REPAIR - Don't impugn others' motives. Along with blame, this is a key temptation that undermines clear seeing. By resisting 'knowing' how 'they' think, what 'they believe', or what their motives are, we can stay in relationship with others, learn by asking questions, engage in dialogue, test both our and their assumptions. The public realm is risky. We do our best, and we sometimes err. Forgive and accept others' forgiveness.
DON'T DESPAIR - Once you have taken action, stand behind it, and if others won't join you -- join them.