| You Fight Fair |
 For you, a fight is not about proving you're right. Instead, it's about discussing and resolving difficult issues. You don't look for fights, but you don't avoid them either. You realize that clearing the air is good, when you go about it the right way. |
Do You Fight Fair?
Well, little wonder, I suppose. I teach this stuff, for crying out loud. Nonetheless, I'm always surprised by the tragically low level of conflict transformation skills, even among very, very smart people. My first five minutes of internet access ought to have convinced me that there is plenty of work to be done in this department. But, alas, I also score high on tests of "insane and contra-indicated optimism".
So, why do we care here? Conflict transformation demands that we consider why we do this work. What are we hoping to contribute and build? If human societies are to move toward their potential for just and creative relationships, we need to replace patterns of violence and coercion with respect, creative problem-solving, increased dialogue, and nonviolent mechanisms for social change. So, the next time you pick up a dropped sock that has been there three days and was dropped by a person with several advanced degrees and who knows perfectly well how to bend over and pick it up himself (just... you know... hypothetically), remember that dealing well even with things such as this, does in fact change the world.
Well, little wonder, I suppose. I teach this stuff, for crying out loud. Nonetheless, I'm always surprised by the tragically low level of conflict transformation skills, even among very, very smart people. My first five minutes of internet access ought to have convinced me that there is plenty of work to be done in this department. But, alas, I also score high on tests of "insane and contra-indicated optimism".
So, why do we care here? Conflict transformation demands that we consider why we do this work. What are we hoping to contribute and build? If human societies are to move toward their potential for just and creative relationships, we need to replace patterns of violence and coercion with respect, creative problem-solving, increased dialogue, and nonviolent mechanisms for social change. So, the next time you pick up a dropped sock that has been there three days and was dropped by a person with several advanced degrees and who knows perfectly well how to bend over and pick it up himself (just... you know... hypothetically), remember that dealing well even with things such as this, does in fact change the world.
1 comment:
This is great, Andrea. I'll have to keep that last sentence in mind...
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