Years ago, Katherine introduced me to the concept of negative peace.  In the middle of her work at Trinity College in Dublin, she Skyped to talk about Johan Galtung’s concept.  The idea of peace being negative or positive had never occurred to me.  In simple terms, a negative peace is the absence of violence.  Think of a cease fire as example.  Folk might continue to hate one another but at least they’re not killing one another.  Though it might not fit our first thought of peace it is likely the most prevailing.

The war in Vietnam was of my childhood.   High school history taught me how unfair debt payments imposed against Germany in the Treaty of Versailles contributed to World War II.  I knew a little about war not being called war and peace treaties not being peaceful.  When Katherine raised negative peace it only made sense.  More so, it fit what I knew of US treaty making with American Indigenous Tribes.  When treaty making is made in the framework of negative peace, sided toward the nation with the greatest military power, there is little wonder a nation imposed unfair debt upon tribal people (that continues to impact to this day) and implemented the horrendous act of removing children from parents in the creation of for-profit Boarding Schools.

Peace comes to mind because in the month of Advent and because this month’s The Conversation is on Peace.  Katherine Bell will join us during The Conversation to talk about our perceptions of peace.  Perhaps we will consider peace through the lenses of indigenous.  Perhaps we’ll talk about when we’ve been most at peace.  Or when not.  Maybe what it means for us to live comfortably while others do not—can we be at peace when our neighbor is hungry, confined, policed?

If you are interested in considering peace through indigenous lenses prior to The Conversation, consider reading bell hooks essay Touching the Earth.  (Orion Magazine link to the essay)  During Advent’s week of Peace I invite you to peaceful reflection through writing, painting, dancing, contemplation, reading, walking, and music. Then, after a week of ruminating on peace join others on the 19^th, for our conversation on peace.  And if hooks writing interests you, please join us for our weekly Book Study where we are currently talking about hooks book, belonging.

Would you like to join The Conversation?
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