Community Dialogues:
Mapping A Culture of Peace
Mapping A Culture of Peace
At a Cultural Crossroads:
- The choices we make today define the legacy we leave to future generations. What kind of world do we really want to
leave our children and grandchildren? As we attempt to answer that question, we find ourselves at a critical junction
marked by the intersection of two distinct cultures. A culture is a set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors that
characterize a particular society. As we journey into this new century, we Americans are at a cultural crossroads. On one
hand, we can choose to continue along a path marked by:
- Individualism that diminishes the common good;
- Unrestrained corporate capitalism that deepens the gap between rich and poor;
- Irresponsible economic development that denigrates Earth’s eco-systems;
- A racist western worldview that assumes its superiority over others;
An Invitation To Dialogue
Mahatma Gandhi, the great prophet of peace of the former century, tells us that if we are to make a difference in the world, we must become the
change we wish to see. Many of us find ourselves walking a path that is increasingly resistant to the dominant culture. Whether motivated by
religious faith or a secular moral commitment to the development of humanity and the life of the planet, we find ourselves etching out new ways
of living and working that reflect a culture of peace.
in the private or public sector, we look for ways to emulate a culture of peace. Some of us may even be elected or appointed community
leaders who bring these concerns forward into the political discourse of the public square. And there are those of us who are poets, writers,
and artists who portray a culture of peace in our creativity. Though some of us may take to the streets in forms of political advocacy and direct
action, our truest engagements with a culture of peace are in the ordinariness of our human relationships among friends and family, and in the
context the day-to-day work we perform within our local communities.
Mahatma Gandhi, the great prophet of peace of the former century, tells us that if we are to make a difference in the world, we must become the
change we wish to see. Many of us find ourselves walking a path that is increasingly resistant to the dominant culture. Whether motivated by
religious faith or a secular moral commitment to the development of humanity and the life of the planet, we find ourselves etching out new ways
of living and working that reflect a culture of peace.
- Some of us are teachers who strive to model these attitudes and behaviors in the classroom. Some of us are health
and human service providers, and these values shape our practice as caregivers. Some of us are farmers, factory
workers, retail workers, truck drivers, dock loaders, and countless others, whose labors contribute to the commerce
that impacts a culture of peace. We strive to make possible the just and equitable production and distribution of
material goods that meet genuine human needs.
in the private or public sector, we look for ways to emulate a culture of peace. Some of us may even be elected or appointed community
leaders who bring these concerns forward into the political discourse of the public square. And there are those of us who are poets, writers,
and artists who portray a culture of peace in our creativity. Though some of us may take to the streets in forms of political advocacy and direct
action, our truest engagements with a culture of peace are in the ordinariness of our human relationships among friends and family, and in the
context the day-to-day work we perform within our local communities.
- Regardless of how one expresses these dispositions, we know that we are not alone. As the Hopi Elders beckon us,
we have entered into this “river flowing fast,” trusting in the power of our collective actions in community to keep our
head above water. Indeed, we have come to believe that truly, “we are the one’s we’ve been waiting for.” We invite
you to join with others in your own community who have entered these waters.
The Web of Community
- If we take the path toward a culture of peace, we have certain maps and guideposts that help us
navigate through overlapping circles of human relationships. We find that the crossroads cut
through our local communities in countless ways. They impact our relationships in family life, in our
neighborhoods, and our workplaces. The path toward a culture of peace forges new meaning
about how we understand moral values. Those values are grounded in principles of equity, justice,
participation, and social responsibility. They have to do with issues that address healthcare,
education, employment and labor practices, housing, transportation, and a host of socio-economic
indicators that impact our civil society and define the quality of our lives. These concerns are
common to all of us, regardless of where we live on the planet. The maps that link our communities
create a web of relationships that make the global, local -- and the local, global.
| Purpose of the Community Dialogues: Peacemaking is more than simply protesting war. For peace to become real, it must become part of the fabric of our culture. It must be evident in the structures and systems of our social institutions, cutting through the overlapping circles of human exchange. Purposes of the Dialogue:
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That path is driven by the politics of manifest destiny and empire. But those who can see beyond the illusion of the
dominant culture believe that it will bring us into continued conflict among competing interests. That path marks the
culture of violence. We go down that road with great risk and cost to the social and economic security of our children
and grandchildren, the rest of the global community, and indeed, all life on planet Earth. Its final terminus is the tragedy
of war and environmental destruction.
But there is another path that can be taken at the crossroads. It is a path that leads to security and well being of our
children and grandchildren. That is the path toward an emerging culture of peace that is more than simply the rejection
of war and violence. It is a proactive way of being and living that values the common good and recognizes that we are
dependent on each other for our mutual well being.
dominant culture believe that it will bring us into continued conflict among competing interests. That path marks the
culture of violence. We go down that road with great risk and cost to the social and economic security of our children
and grandchildren, the rest of the global community, and indeed, all life on planet Earth. Its final terminus is the tragedy
of war and environmental destruction.
But there is another path that can be taken at the crossroads. It is a path that leads to security and well being of our
children and grandchildren. That is the path toward an emerging culture of peace that is more than simply the rejection
of war and violence. It is a proactive way of being and living that values the common good and recognizes that we are
dependent on each other for our mutual well being.
And so that path cuts through the fabric of our mindset, our lifestyle, our spirituality, and all our social institutions. Ultimately, it advances a just
and equitable global economy that assures the security of all peoples. It is a path blazed with actions that reconfigure all our social
relationships and institutions. Unlike the politics of empire that asserts control and dominates, a culture of peace elicits a politics of community
that opens into expanding circles of participation. That path is marked by:
and equitable global economy that assures the security of all peoples. It is a path blazed with actions that reconfigure all our social
relationships and institutions. Unlike the politics of empire that asserts control and dominates, a culture of peace elicits a politics of community
that opens into expanding circles of participation. That path is marked by:
- Compassion and solidarity with all people, especially the poor;
- An appreciation of difference that respects & celebrates diversity;
- Respect for all life on this planet Earth, especially human life;
- The equitable distribution of human and material resources;
- Advancement of racial justice;
- Sustainable economic development that protects ecosystems;
Link to Related Article: Talking the Walk: Community Dialogues on a Culture of Peace
By itself, the word "peace" often falls flat, lacking concreteness. But in the context of the metaphor "culture of peace," it becomes fertile
with meaning and warrants substantive conversation to unpack its significance. To that end, over the last four years, DiacomVentures Consulting has
partnered with the Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice in an innovative community dialogue process. To date, these dialogues have convened in
nine cities across the state, including: Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Melbourne, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Tampa, Miami, and Palm Beach
County. Each community conversation has been unique to the community in which it occurred. During these dialogues, participants are challenged to
not only visualize what a culture of peace might look like, but also to identify where they see it unfolding within their local communities.
Through the synergistic exchange of ideas and values talk, participants come to see new meaning and opportunity. The recognize that in “mapping” an
emerging culture of peace, we do that within the very context of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware recognize that in “mapping” an
emerging culture of peace, we do that within the very context of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware culture of peace, we do that within
the very context of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware that this culture of peace is already real and , we do that within the very context
of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware that this culture of peace is already real and emerging that this culture of peace is already real
and emerging around us, if we have eyes to see it. Join us in naming it, affirming it, and birthing its continued culture of peace is already real and
emerging around us, if we have eyes to see it. Join us in naming it, affirming it, and birthing its continued unfolding is already real and emerging around
us, if we have eyes to see it. Join us in naming it, affirming it, and birthing its continued unfolding ... for the sake of our children and theirs.unfolding ...
for the sake of our children and theirs.
By itself, the word "peace" often falls flat, lacking concreteness. But in the context of the metaphor "culture of peace," it becomes fertile
with meaning and warrants substantive conversation to unpack its significance. To that end, over the last four years, DiacomVentures Consulting has
partnered with the Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice in an innovative community dialogue process. To date, these dialogues have convened in
nine cities across the state, including: Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Melbourne, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Tampa, Miami, and Palm Beach
County. Each community conversation has been unique to the community in which it occurred. During these dialogues, participants are challenged to
not only visualize what a culture of peace might look like, but also to identify where they see it unfolding within their local communities.
Through the synergistic exchange of ideas and values talk, participants come to see new meaning and opportunity. The recognize that in “mapping” an
emerging culture of peace, we do that within the very context of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware recognize that in “mapping” an
emerging culture of peace, we do that within the very context of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware culture of peace, we do that within
the very context of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware that this culture of peace is already real and , we do that within the very context
of the “dominant” culture around us. We become aware that this culture of peace is already real and emerging that this culture of peace is already real
and emerging around us, if we have eyes to see it. Join us in naming it, affirming it, and birthing its continued culture of peace is already real and
emerging around us, if we have eyes to see it. Join us in naming it, affirming it, and birthing its continued unfolding is already real and emerging around
us, if we have eyes to see it. Join us in naming it, affirming it, and birthing its continued unfolding ... for the sake of our children and theirs.unfolding ...
for the sake of our children and theirs.
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