The current socioeconomic facts and figures reveal America as one of richest and most developed countries in the world, with unprecedented social and economic freedoms. This land of opportunity attracts people from all over the world with promises of a new life.
However, we also lead in the highest incarceration rates, mass shootings, gun violence, racial tensions, and prejudice against minorities. We have the largest military in the world and are involved in two long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Our drones have killed thousands of civilians including women and children in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.
How does a country at war outside its borders, but also within, work towards peace?
As we remembered the tragic events of 9/11 this past week, we were also reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King: "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy, instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it."
What if the United States had reacted differently to 9/11? Instead of armed military conflict, we had considered the root causes of terrorist acts. What if we had opened the doors of dialogue and spent our efforts and money for development, improving lives of young men and women around the world? "With guns you can kill terrorists," says Malala Yousafzai, the young Nobel Peace Prize laureate. "With education you can kill terrorism."
The 2016 Global Peace Index, a study released by the nonpartisan Institute for Economics and Peace, rated United States 103 out of 159 countries in the world in Peacefulness, just behind Uganda and Guinea. Iceland is the most peaceful and Syria ranked at the very bottom preceded by, among others, Yemen, Libya, Iran and Afghanistan.
The institute also found that the world spent $13.6 trillion on violence worldwide and very little on peacemaking. It is estimated that an overall 10 percent decrease in the money spent on wars would produce a peace dividend of $1.36 trillion, enough to end hunger in the world.
People are struggling to feed and house their families in our state. It has become harder to find work, with more industries laying off workers or not paying a living wage. Hopelessness and despair, along with little community support, often turn into verbal and physical violence.
Arkansas Peace Week is part of the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, observed by the United Nations since 1981. As we recognize our own humanity across all races and faiths, we call upon others to do more than pray and celebrate, to step up at this time of great turmoil and community violence.
We don't expect peace doves to magically swoop down on our state, but we will remind others that peace is possible. It requires hard work, commitment and sincerity, but it is worth working for. Recently a young man visiting our city said his mother often told him, "You can't do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do."
Last year, Arkansas Peace Week included over 40 events, hosted by dozens of diverse organizations. These events highlighted ways we can work towards creating more peaceful communities.
This year, Peace Week will start on Sunday with open house at the Firehouse Hostel and Museum in MacArthur Park. We will paint a Peace Mural with youth from different faiths at the West Seventh Street underpass.
On Monday, Peace across Faiths will happen at the Islamic Center, bringing together different faiths' leaders to speak, pray, and eat together, giving hope to build inclusive communities in an environment of divisive public discourse.
Tuesday will feature a free screening of Michael Moore's latest movie, Where to Invade Next, at Argenta Community Theater in North Little Rock.
Wednesday will bring the exhibit War Toys, and a discussion with the artist, Brian McCarty, at Stella Boyle Smith Auditorium, offering a fascinating insight into the contemporary experiences of Palestinian and Israeli children.
Thursday will feature an evening with Moustafa Bayoumi, acclaimed author of How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America, at the Arkansas Studies Institute.
Lastly, PeaceFest will happen on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bernice Garden with live music, food, and presentations by diverse groups. Fayetteville and Hot Springs will hold similar fests.
Bob Estes, one of the founders of Arkansas Peace Week, said, "We are working to expand Peace Week with events across the state involving groups that will continue to support each other throughout the year." To get involved in Arkansas Peace Week, visit www.arkansaspeaceweek.com or www.facebook.com/arkansaspeaceweek, or email arpeaceweek@gmail.com.
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Jean Gordon is founder of Arkansas WAND; Sophia Said is director of The Interfaith Center.
Editorial on 09/17/2016