This year the US FOR celebrated its 90^th anniversary simultaneously with the European celebrations in Cologne, Germany. During the last century, the national FOR, the oldest interfaith peace and justice organisation in the country, has developed into the largest branch of IFOR, with 21,000 active members, 23 national council members and 25 staff members.

Pat Clark

I attended the US conference as a representative of IFOR’s Women Peacemakers Program and conducted together with Lili a workshop on WPP, its activities and aims, as well as a discussion- based workshop on Women of Color. More attention to these workshops will be given shortly.

Prior to reporting on the conference, I wish to thank Lili Baxter, Pat Clark and the local organizers for inviting me as a WPP representative to a successful conference which gathered over 400 members and others at the Occidental College in LA. It was truly interesting and informative to be part of this year’s national meeting, both from a personal and professional perspective.

The five-day long conference presented distinguished speakers such as peace activist Kathy Kelly (Voices in the Wilderness), civil rights activist Dorothy Cotton (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), Bishop Gene Robinson (Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire), and Rabbi Leonard Beerman (Jewish Peace Fellowship) to name a few. Many workshops on a wide range of topics and perspectives were arranged by conference organisers and attendees and several cultural happenings, such as film previews, book launches and musical sessions were offered during the five intense days.

Dorothy Cotton

Thursday, August 5^th

After a communal inter-faith blessing of the upcoming event which was initiated by Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb under the bluest skies, the 2004 national conference, appropriately named “Organizing the Real Superpower, People of the World Choose Peace” was inaugurated in the late afternoon by Pat Clark, US FOR Executive Director, Lili Baxter, the outgoing FOR chairperson, IFOR International Committee member and official representative of IFOR, and a representative of the Occidental College. Kathy Kelly, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and peace activist shared personal experiences and thoughts on her visits to Iraq in the last decade, as well as during both Iraq wars, when she and a team coordinated medical relief convoys. She spoke of her time in American prisons, which she has been “visiting” on several occasions. Kelly was recently released after three months in the federal prison for protesting at the School of the Americas. She spoke of inhumane arrests and detentions, in which Kelly’s and other peaceful demonstrators’ rights were shamelessly

Kathy Kelly

violated. She also spoke of her personal encounters with other women inmates, their weekly visits with their children and the current national criminal justice policies which have created a harsh climate.

Friday, August 6^th

The morning session, “Hiroshima, Iraq and Beyond”, which took place in the auditorium, commemorated the atomic bombardment of Hiroshima on August 6^th 1945 and of Nagasaki on August 9^th

The panel discussion focused on current challenges, such as the National Security strategy of the US. Panelist Thomas Ambrogi (ecumenical theologian and lecturer) spoke of a highly relevant document, conveniently neglected even by Congress, that sanctions unilateral “pre-emptive military employment” in violation of many international agreements, including the United Nations Charter and the Geneva Conventions. Interestingly enough, it was stated that the United States currently has a troop presence in 156 countries –81% of the world’s nations.

Thomas Ambrogi

Army-sponsored schools were a concern of another panellist, Arlene Inouye, a teacher and activist. High schools, but also elementary schools, are supported by the US Marine Corps and other military institutions which fund school material. The military presence is physical, and not solely through sponsored posters, pens and games. Recruiters are most often present on a daily basis in high schools, in particular in black and Hispanic communities where up to 40 students attend in one classroom. Inouye pointed out that 37 % of all first time enlistees are 17 to 18 years old. Recruiters lure young students in impoverished areas by encouraging them not to attend college and instead assist their families financially by joining the army.

A development shared with the audience was the continual cutting of school budgets, in particular in the above-mentioned communities, while military-based sponsorship classes and activities increase in the same areas. This has consequently led to a national draft of young men and women of color. (As of now, there is no official national draft in the United States.)

Richard Deats (center), George Houser (left)

The afternoon was spent at a special session on adult nonviolent training, led by two much appreciated and skilled FOR staff members, Janet Chisholm and Heather Maxwell. Theory and practice were offered during this session, which introduced nonviolence through exercises, discussions, presentations, small groups and printed resource materials.

Simultaneously with the nonviolence session, which I attended, Lili conducted the IFOR workshop, which introduced and updated FOR-USA members on current activities of the international secretariat, as well as IFOR branches, groups and affiliates (BGA) .

Richard Deats spoke of the history of IFOR’s work and the IFOR documentary was previewed.

The IFOR workshop, and all other sessions were audio– or video–recorded. If the International Secretariat wishes to obtain a copy, it can be ordered from the Nyack office.

The workshop was much appreciated since not many FOR members are aware of the work or even existence of IFOR and their “siblings”, the existing 66 IFOR BGAs around the world. This may be a challenge that can be taken up by the international secretariat, which may want to consider how to raise our profile, specifically among the members of our BGAs.

Mike Farrell

The evening session offered a talk on “Prophetic Patriotism” by Reverend James Lawson and actor-activist Mike Farrell. Many of the topics that were raised during the morning panel were again reflected upon. Disguised nationalism, rights-infringing legislation, and the lack of open debate and tolerance are all prevailing nation-wide, in the name of patriotism and security of the nation.

Saturday, August 7^th.

The morning’s panelists in the auditorium looked back upon the “Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement” with Donzaleigh Abernathy, Dorothy Cotton and John Lawson.

Abernathy brought the audience back to the 60s civil rights movement, the childhood of Abernathy herself and her experiences growing up as the daughter of the late Ralph and Juanita Abernathy. Her parents had marched arm in arm with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other men and women for an America for all Americans.

James Lawson

Many personal stories were shared by a highly enthusiastic and affectionately humorous Abernathy who, courageously enough, also criticised the civil rights movement for male chauvinism, sexism and the exclusion of active participation by women, which she had personally experienced. She also underlined the importance of white Americans’ active engagement in the movement, which often is presented and misleadingly described as a colored-only movement.

The mesmerising Dorothy Cotton, a former education director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., told and sang stories from her time as an activist in the civil right movement. She de-mystified the “master plans and strategies” of the movement of the 60s and explained that many times decisions were made ad hoc and on spot.

John Lawson, lawyer and son of the Rev. James Lawson, justified his choice of occupation as a public defender by remembering the countless times he had stood and prayed outside the prison where his father, Rev. James Lawson, had been held for civil disobedience and other non-violent actions during the peak of the civil rights era. He also gave a short but personal presentation of his daily encounter with inmates in US prisons, under the questionable and racist criminal justice policies and procedures that prevail.

John Lawson

During the afternoon, Lili and I facilitated a one-and-a-half-hour workshop on WPP. We started in a circle, in which each participant spoke the name of one woman who had inspired, strengthened or motivated her/him. Eighteen women and one man attended the session, during which I introduced the aims and activities of the program and Lili delivered a presentation on FOR India’s and FOR Zimbabwe’s empowerment work with women. The gender workshop led by Shelley Anderson (IFOR/WPP) and Netsai Mushonga (FOR Zimbabwe) was also mentioned, since a couple of the participants had taken part in the much-appreciated workshop the previous year.

The presentation led to a discussion in which the participants were asked to share their thoughts about an eventual FOR delegation of women visiting India and supporting through different means the project in Cochin, India.

This unique delegation would be the first of its kind in FOR’s delegation history and would bring American and Indian women together. Some of the participants showed interest in participating in a working group to organize an eventual delegation of women. Perhaps the FOR staff in Nyack can initiate the establishment of such a working group, or any other working group focusing on gender empowerment?

Few of the participants knew of the existence of WPP and were therefore enthusiastic to hear more about our projects. Their emails were collected so they can be added to the IFOR/WPP newsletter and information e-list.

WPP-produced publications such as CTL (Cross the Lines), May 24 Action pack, brochures, Lessons Learnt, Workshop kits and a few videos were handed out. We ended the session by sharing the qualities of the inspirational woman whom we had named earlier on as a means of carrying those qualities with us as we left.

The second half of the afternoon was spent at a workshop, named Creative Nonviolent Actions, run by Kate Berrigan, a young woman who is active in the Ruckus Community as a trainer and facilitator. The Ruckus Community engages and educates activists in nonviolent direct actions, such as climbing on buildings and cranes in order to hang massive banners against war, global warming, etc.

The workshop was discussion-based and the participants shared their personal experiences of direct nonviolent actions for social change. Attention was also paid to civilian nonviolent defiance, such as acts of non-cooperation (e.g. conscientious objectors) on the one hand, and creating alternatives (e.g. promotion of Fair Trade) on the other.

One participant generously handed out a copy of a most valuable manual, “Nonviolent Action Handbook”, which has been published by World Peace Communications (2003).

The evening was celebrated in an amphitheatre where musicians such as the ever-charming Paula Larke and the banjo passionate Tom Rawson shared songs which celebrated (and kind-heartedly parodied) the many religions and faiths of the world. Later that night, the film, Maangamizi: the Ancient One was screened in the auditorium. The film was produced in Tanzania and told the story of three women: “an African-American physician, her Tanzanian patient and the mysterious ancestor who guides them on a deeply spiritual, psychologically fraught journey toward self-knowledge.” (From the brochure.)

Sunday, August 8^th

A short clip of the European celebrations, sent overnight to the US Conference was displayed on the big screen in the auditorium during the morning session. Volker Gronefeld (FOR Germany) greeted the American audience. It was most enjoyable to see German and English FOR members celebrating in Cologne, Germany the “IFOR-vow” 90 years after the handshake between Henry Hodgkin, an English Quaker, and Friedrich Sigmund-Schultze, a German Lutheran.

Cindy Corrie

Sunday was an emotionally challenging but rewarding day which resulted in reflections and personal discussions. Cindy and Craig Corrie, the parents of the International Solidarity Movement activist, Rachel Corrie, who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer when she tried to protect the home of a Palestinian family, gave an up-close and personal presentation of their daughter’s work, beliefs and letters, which introduced a different reality than the one most often presented in the Western mainstream media.

During a more personal talk with two women participants in the conference, it was explained to me by the two women, who had been living and working in Israel/Palestine, that even though they felt and shared the pain and loss of the Corries, they find that within the peace and inter-faith movement, there is a tendency, perhaps even subconsciously, to choose sides and not too often to reflect on the complex and paradoxical nature of the conflict and every day life in the Middle East.

One of the women shared the story of Marla, an American Jewish young woman who walked in the same spiritual and just path of Rachel and who was killed by a suicide bomber in Israel during the same period as Rachel. Her parents are also giving speeches today, but they, in contrast to the Corries, emphasize the suffering of the Israelis.

Craig Corrie

The women I spoke to, who very noticeably were affected by the morning’s presentation and felt a strong combination of sadness, anger, guilt, frustration and hopelessness, wished for more dialogue in which people who have lost loved ones, such as Rachel’s and Marla’s parents, would face one another, present their stories and share their pain. This would, according to the women I spoke to, reflect the complexity and daily pain that both sides of the conflict are experiencing.

I was deeply touched by the massive and genuine emotion that these women demonstrated. I believe that there is a point in promoting and presenting such stories, even though painful and challenging, in the same sessions, so that people such as myself, who have never visited the Middle East or have minor knowledge about the complexity of the conflict, can be confronted with both sides.

Perhaps a more interfaith-oriented and focused dialogue during the plenary sessions could also contribute to a more balanced presentation of the world religions and beliefs. To hear Muslim, Jewish or Buddhist speakers referring to their own religion, and interconnect to other faiths or the current political, social or juridical situation, can contribute to a better understanding for all attendees and not only small number of workshop visitors. It would also expand the participation of non-Christian religions and faiths to other domains (e.g. Middle Eastern dances, Japanese flutists, etc).

Rabbi Leonard Beerman

Other speakers from the morning session included Rabbi Leonard Beerman, Leah Wells, youth activist and educator, and young Dan Clark, youth activist and organiser.

After lunch, I ran a discussion-based workshop named “Women of Color: A generation with portable roots – a transatlantic discussion on women of color in Europe and the USA”.

Surprisingly enough, I was faced by a vast majority of older, white women at the workshop and not younger women of color whom I had presumed would have attended the session.

One major factor for the presence and absence of the above-mentioned women could have been the unfortunate misprint in the program where the WPP workshop was listed in place of the Women of Color workshop. However, it was announced in the auditorium that this session would focus on Women of Color and not WPP. The misunderstanding was explained at the beginning of the workshop and it was decided by the participants that we should continue with the Women of Color workshop, as announced in the auditorium.

I briefly described two current projects –Terrafem in Sweden and Women from Minorities in Europe – run by and for women of color, and then raised questions to promote discussion. Due to the age and ethnic representation of the participants, I modified my previously prepared questions. The main topics of the (new) talk were the (eventual) importance/necessity of integration vs. assimilation; the diverse aspects of culture (e.g. food as a positive representation of a culture, with honor killing being a negative); and the question of who defines culture (culture as a reflection of patriarchal norms).

Discussion led to the current American situation regarding gender empowerment. The talkative participants agreed that race (and class) is still considered a more pressing challenge than gender. I shared with them that through my work with young minority women in Europe, I had encountered terminologies such as ethnicity rather than race, which perhaps reflects the shorter and “less dramatic” history of migration (as opposed to the era of slavery in the States).

Even though the nature and direction of the workshop developed differently than anticipated, I believe that the participants gained some insights. One participant mentioned afterwards that in her work as a teacher in a Hispanic-dominated school, she often spoke to her students of race and class in order to empower them, and that although she had noticed the gender gaps and challenges, which are indisputably also interlinked with culture and race/ethnicity, she had not brought the importance of gender into her discussions.

Eighteen women and two men participated in this session, which ended with the participants standing in a circle and sharing their thoughts on how to create a more respectful and truly integrated society. They were encouraged not to censor themselves and speak openly, even though they might think that their “solution” is naïve or simplistic.

During Sunday's second workshop session, I attended a workshop on “Reinventing Gandhi’s Constructive Program to Empower Today’s Movement” by Ken Preston-Pile from Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service. The workshop informed participants about Gandhi’s Constructive Programs (such as the Spinning Wheel), their establishment, nature and results. The participants were asked to create a specific Constructive Program of their own. I and a fellow participant discussed the possibilities and advantages of gender-sensitive and gender-experimental kindergartens (inspired by a model from Sweden) where boys and girls are encouraged to experiment with “gender-bending,” by consciously changing “traditional” gender roles and behaviors.

This workshop was one of five offered on nonviolence during the second workshop session on Sunday. Although it is highly relevant to offer as many nonviolence-oriented workshops as possible, it was unfortunate to have to choose between the five workshops. Earlier workshop sessions had offered fewer direct and focused nonviolence choices.

During the evening, I assisted the FOR staff in preparing the auction so I missed most parts of the discussion on “Creative Nonviolent Actions in the World”, which took place in the auditorium.

Earlier on, I also had the opportunity to speak to the youth program coordinator, Maryrose Dolezal. It would be most interesting and relevant if a transatlantic youth visit could take place, allowing youth leaders and activists to meet in order to establish a working group and design a youth exchange and visits between the FOR branches. Some of these branches already have active, empowering and ongoing youth programs.

Sami Awad, Ivan Torres, Ruth Hiller

I also had a longer talk with Ruth Hiller from north of Tel Aviv, the co-founder of New Profile, a feminist-oriented movement which focuses on demilitarizing Israeli society. She knew Amos Gvirtz well and showed much interest in assisting the IFOR RCC (Representative and Consultative Committee) with local visits and logistics while the committee meets in Neve Shalom/Wahat-al-Salam in October.

I was also reminded of the upcoming US FOR delegation to the Middle East, which will take place during the same period of time as the RCC, which already has an intense and tight working and visiting schedule.

Monday, August 9^th.

Perhaps, one of the most energizing, motivating and gender-sensitive talk was the one by Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. Bishop Robinson has maintained a long relationship with FOR due to his status as a conscientious objector. In his own personal, humorous and devoted way, he introduced his talk as “Waging Reconciliation – Preaching for the Choir”, meaning that he was aware of his audience’s knowledge and experience within the field of activism and reconciliation.

Bishop Gene Robinson

However, Robinson was more concerned with reconciliation than activism. He described reconciliation not as "being nice" or "liking the enemy," or even "winning the battle" but as showing respect and seeing beyond the competition between “good” and “evil”, which activism can sometimes be about. Reconciliation will result in restoration of the community, he continued, and even though a challenge, in order to reconcile, one should sometimes bite one's lip and allow the words about to come out to instead remain in one's mouth. It will hurt, Bishop Robinson said, but reconciling is after all about continuing a relationship even after the "battle" – which indeed makes reconciliation costlier than activism.

Perhaps this form of relationship is what the woman I spoke to earlier regarding the tragic death of Rachel Corrie wishes to experience: reconciliation between people who have lost their loved ones.

Sometimes when one is in the middle of a storm, or a hateful and violent protest, one must remain calm, close one's eyes and lean back. This is a recommendation that Robinson, an openly gay man, himself followed during the turmoil surrounding his ordination as bishop of New Hampshire. “Gay marriages are a weapon of mass distraction”, he announced. “The talk about gay marriages is the beginning of the end of patriarchy and the resistance shows that we’ve hit a nerve. Perhaps we don’t see the end of it, but we are on a good way”, he said, to the cheers of a joyful audience.

Robinson concluded by presenting a "Top Ten" list of how to survive working in the field of peace and reconciliation:

1. Lighten up! Don’t take yourself too seriously. Bishop Desmond Tutu makes fun of himself, and so can you.

2. Debate might be fun but dialogue is better! Don't try to win but to listen and understand. Debating is part of entertainment and does not bring any quality into the process of reconciliation.

3. We’re all lepers! Lepers loose their sense of pain. If you do not feel pain, we will walk around numb and without any sense of humbleness.

4. It’s not all about me and my pain! Think about other -isms. (e.g. sexism, racism, etc.). Don’t forget that there are other groups in pain, not just you and yours.

5. I’ve only one story to tell! Be personal and share a real story about yourself and how you have been “salvaged”.

6. God’s love is like butter! Just close your eyes and let God’s love pour all over you.

7. Don’t forget that you need playmates! Find your allies and a place where you can be “bad” and say things that you cannot say publicly, nor need to take it back.

8. Keep finding yourself in the Bible (for the Christians) Your special story is told in the Holy Book.

9. There has already been one Messiah (for the Christians) Our responsibility is not to put all the burdens on our shoulders. We’re just individual human beings.

10. It’s all hopeless but not serious! (To be honest, I did not understand the last point …)

Most regrettably, I missed the Muslim-Jewish Peace walk due to my early flight. The peace walk ended the 2004 US FOR Conference.

The five-day conference was intense and interesting and brought several generations of FOR members together. Some members had been part of the FOR family for more than five decades and were presented and praised during one session in the auditorium. It’s a wealth beyond value to hear the older generation recall demonstrations, acts of civil disobedience and the process of political and social change in which they had actively taken part, perhaps for decades.

It was also enjoyable and encouraging to see young people taking part in the highly acclaimed and appreciated nonviolent training. To hear them talk about organized actions and protests was to be reassured that the peace, interfaith and nonviolent movement will continue to grow. It is a true "superpower" that can be counted on. After all, the people of the world, represented at this conference, have chosen peace.

I wish once again to thank the organisers for an ambitious and empowering conference and in conclusion, to quote a long-time member of FOR, Gordon Browne: (From the program) “May FOR live and grow until it is no longer needed, when we all know there is only one race –human- and one family – world-wide.

Behind the keyboard,

Banafshe Hejazi

Atlanta, GA 2004-08-12