Mid-East Peace
I've been interested in the Mid-East peace process for several years now since studying in Jerusalem in 1989. It's a frustratingly slow process, and one that will never be complete until all interested parties make a concerted effort to completely change their way of thinking about war and peace.
I recently read an article by John Mohawk, a Seneca Indian, which he wrote about the ancient Iroquis prophet of peace his people call Deganawidah or The Peacemaker. Entitled "Origins of Iroquois Political Thought", the article appears in New Voices from the Longhouse: An Anthology of Contemporary Iroquois Writing
which was edited by Joseph Bruchac and which appeared in 1989. I believe this article is an excellent example of how much we can and should learn from the indigenous cultures we are dismantling all over the world as fast as we can. It offers powerful insights relevant to solving modern conflicts such as those going on in the Middle East, the former Yugoslavia, and many other countries around the world.
Mohawk tells the story of how the Peacemaker came among the Haudenosaunee (a name the Six Nations tribes use to refer to themselves) at a time when they were steeped in a culture of violence and revenge. The message he brought was that all men are capable of rational thought, and that even the most intractable enemy can be dealt with on reasonable terms if given the opportunity to develop logical responses to pain and grief:
The Peacemaker sought out the most remarkable survivors of this random and undeclared war and he initiated discussions with them. His exact words are lost to us now, but the essence of his approach is clear. He began a discussion in the bark house of a man who was about to cut up a victim for the dinner pot. It was in that environment that he offered the idea that all human beings possess the power of rational thought and that in the belief in rational thought is to be found the power to create peace.
His words required considerable thought and, understandably, much discussion before his first student could take ownership of the ideas. He was not saying that human beings do not possess the potential for irrational thought. He was saying that all human beings do possess the potential for rational thought.
Unless we believe that all human beings [are capable of] rational thought, we are powerless to act in any way that will bring peace short of the absolute destruction of the other. We cannot negotiate with irrational human beings. In order to negotiate with other human beings, we must believe in the rational nature. We must believe that they are not suicidal or homicidal by nature-that we can reason with them. Thus the first principle that will bring us the power to act is confidence in the belief that all people are rational human beings and that we can take measures to reach accord with them.
His message was couched in a positive tone which reinforced the cultural messages with which his listener was familiar. The ministry of this remarkable man underlines the conviction-a major theme among Haudenosaunee-that human beings possess minds and that minds give human beings the possibility of solving even the most difficult problems. In the area of negotiations between nations, the most desirable goal would be not only the cessation of violence but [also] the active interactions which could create a better world for everyone.
I can't remember how many times I've heard Israelis say that Palestinians are not rational beings and that they, therefore, cannot be negotiated with. In the United States, whites have been known to say the same about African- and Native-Americans. If you've ever thought along similar lines yourself (and I'll be the first to admit that I have), I recommend that you study this article and the book upon which it is based: The White Roots of Peace by Paul Wallace (with an introduction by Chief Leon Shenandoah, former Tadodaho and supreme sachem of the Haudenosaunee Six Nations confederation)
I should point out, though, that there is no shortage of broad-minded intellect on both sides of any conflict. Evidence of this on the part of Israelis can be observed in this speech by Amos Oz and this Ha'aretz op-ed piece by Gideon Levy. Hanan Ashrawi comes to mind as an extremely intelligent and well spoken representative on the Palestinian side. And, of course, the late King Hussein of Jordan was perhaps the most rational voice on this issue from the very beginning.
Of course, it's not just the higher ups who are on the ball. Many regular folks, both Israeli and Palestinian, have adopted a patient approach to this issue since peace first became a real possibility some ten years ago. In their own quiet way, these people further the process of peace every day by civilly interacting with their neighbors and others of the other side who they have contact with. This simplifies the problem by reducing its scope and by increasing the number of individuals who are qualified to educate the majority in adopting rational modes of thought and behavior.
By the way, it is interesting to note that the Haudenosaunee are still recognized as an independent nation which even issues its own passports out of its capitol of Onondaga, New York. The sport of LaCrosse originates from the Six-Nations Confederacy, and in the mid-1980s, their team won a decisive victory over Great Britain. Iroquois leaders have participated in the international arena in peace talks between the Colombian government and rebels, in environmental summits, and in other such forums. I personally think they would add an interesting and beneficial dimension to the Middle-East peace process by acting as mediators at future talks. If you're interested in learning more about the Iroquois/Haudenosaunee (who are, incidentally, distant relatives to the Cherokee) here are a couple of interesting links:
Leon Shenandoah's Address to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1985
Turtle Island (an Iroquois and Cherokee symbol for North America)
If you have a comment on what I've written above, please e-mail me: forgetfuljones@oocities.com
David Harris, Herndon, VA, USA April 25, 2000
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