Looking around in the world it is easy to see a lot of hate, oppression, vindictiveness, and you can add to the list, I’m sure. Seems like it takes an act of courage to show love. Here are some examples we can look to.
One is the Walk for Peace undertaken by 19 Buddhist monks, from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, DC. The journey took 108 days and covered 2300 miles. Thousands came out to greet them in person en route, including 10,000 admirers in Richmond. Their online presence reached 2.9 million followers on Facebook and 1.9 million on Instagram. They met with many officials from state and local governments. They received pins, badges, and other mementos from law enforcement officers.
According to its leader, Bhikkhu Pannakara, “We walk not to bring any attention to us, but we just hope that we raise awareness of peace to all the people who will meet along the road.”
He also explained “Love and kindness does not need power, money, or a title. It is simply the choice to stop before hurting, to sharpen before speaking. If each person takes just one second to ask, ‘Will this hurt anyone?’ the world would already be kinder.”
A second is the ResistDance, a performance by the First Amendment Troop. This dance honors the lives of Renée Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, two American citizens shot to death by our government’s paramilitary ICE agents. This group of artists devoted hours of creativity and practice to develop precise and expressive steps and movements that tell the stories. They literally put their whole selves into it.
A third is the knitting of the “Melt the ICE” hat being done by thousands of crafty folks around the world. The pattern for this hat is based on the hat worn by Norwegians during the World War II to protest the Nazi government. The Nazis felt so threatened by the wearing of this hat that they banned it. These knitters work their hands to stand for what is right. Proceeds from the sales of the pattern – more than $250,000 and counting – go to immigrant mutual aid groups in Minnesota.
We may feel small and unable to stop the flow of hate. But maybe we can seek out sparks of love, and even create some of our own.
What are some acts of love that you have seen lately?
Thanks for reading! If you would like to subscribe:
Discover more from RunningBarb
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Oh boy this was a good one…I especially like the knit hat and its historical context!!!!
Love comes in many forms, right?