11/27/2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How’s Nantucket? Fox News warns of a migrant crime wave there so keep your hand on your wallet.

            Congratulations! Are you over the moon about the cease-fire deal? Do you think we can trust Bibi to follow through on his promises? Let’s hope this IS truly an inflection point & things will continue to improve in the Middle East.

            Perhaps it’s time for a fundamental international system change. I encourage you to popularize Audre Lorde (AL)’s idea that “difference must be not merely tolerated, but seen as a fund of necessary polarities between which our creativity can spark... in our world, divide and conquer must become define and empower.” Perhaps AI will help us take down the kyriarchy. Wouldn’t that be exciting!

            Forgiveness will be at the heart of this system change. Eliminating those responsible for oppression & violence is not possible. The instincts to dominate & fight reside in each of us & power tends to unleash them. As AL writes, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House,” so perpetuating a carceral system that uses punishment to control people will not bring about the change we seek. Imagining an alternative, with a focus on restoration & healing might help us inhabit a more peaceful planet.

            That being said, I’m not sure what to think of the International Criminal Court declaration yesterday that they have grounds to accuse Gen Min Aung Hlaing of crimes against humanity for his role in the 2017 crackdown on Rohingya. Will a trial spelling out each of his offenses bring about reconciliation or will it just remind the aggrieved of the pain they endured?

            I don’t have the answers beyond knowing that working toward reconciliation in my own little community will restore my faith in the possibility for a more peaceful world. I’ll get busy with that.

            BYBS,