What do you say, what do you write at times like this unspeakable tragedy that began on October 6, 2023, in Israel and Gaza?
Here at the Dock C. Bracy Center our prayers go out to all the families that have lost loved ones, cannot find their loved ones, or they have been taken hostage.
I physically ache for the Israeli and Palestinian people the same as I ache for the Ukrainian and Russian people, the Haitian people, the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the people of our country and anywhere where threats of violence, actual violence, and war exists—they are never the answer for lasting peace. History has shown us time and again violence does not bring harmony. When will we learn this lesson and act upon this knowledge and stop repeating history?
Honest human reconciliation will come when the peacemaker’s voices are heard and a broad base commitment to atonement is obvious.
We can make it happen; it won’t be today but it will come if we stay committed and develop a path for others to continue on.
Stay safe my friends,
Paul S. Bracy, Founder & President
Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation
Two sharing’s I recently received express a lot of my sentiments that I would like to share with you.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace"-- Jimi Hendrix
A poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (March 24, 1919 – February 22, 2021)
Pity the nation whose people are sheep.
And whose shepherds mislead them.
Pity the nation whose leaders are liars.
Whose sages are silenced.
And whose bigots haunt the airwaves.
Pity the nation that raises not its voice.
Except to praise conquerors.
And acclaim the bully as hero.
And aims to rule the world.
By force and by torture.
Pity the nation that knows.
No other language but its own.
Pity the nation whose breath is money.
And sleeps the sleep of the too well fed.
Pity the nation oh pity the people.
Who allow their rights to erode.
And their freedoms to be washed away.
My country, tears of thee,
Sweet land of liberty!