“An EYE for an EYE…
will only make the whole world BLIND”…
Mahatma Gandhi

January 30 marks the death of the national and spiritual leader of India, Mahatma Gandhi.  He was born in Porbandar, India, on 2 October 1869. After earning a degree in law in England, he settled in South Africa and fought there against the discrimination suffered by Indians. Returning to India he organized non-violent resistance against colonialism, promoting non-cooperation with the British administration. Imprisoned on numerous occasions, in 1937 as the leader of the movement of millions for independence, he was able to mobilize for peace or halt the violence. He tried to stop clashes between Hindus and Muslims that occurred after independence in August 1947 (Gandhi fought against the division of India into two States, India and Pakistan, one Hindu and other Muslim). He was assassinated on January 30, 1948.

Peace is…

When a billion people do not go to bed hungry every night or banks no longer receive the money that these people need to live with dignity.
When we create and live out that “every man – every woman is my brother, my sister” without distinction of country, race, color, gender, social status, creed…
When we feel that we are a universal family with seven billion brothers and sisters.
When there is systemic change, rather than “band aid” remedies for the reality that determines that some of our brothers and sisters are born and live with many privileges and others are born and die in inhuman situations.

Peace is not…

The absence of conflict
or a refuge from injustice,
or the silencing of those who suffer,
nor calm achieved with weapons, or domination by the strongest, nor the silencing of differences….