Violence takes many forms and we as humans seem to be enamored with it. Seeing it as our power over another our right to do harm when we feel justified or not. Maybe its a behaviour that we carry over internally from our history and learned from others as we were growing up that relates to more of an open violence.
What is Structural Violence? A dehumanizing and systematic approach of control, oppression and indifference. The denial of basic human rights and the manipulation of circumastances to benefit someone else or others. Having negative sway over the systems that help people function and survive in the world. Access to clean water, food, air; shelter, work, health care, education, money and many other human requirements to manage life are controlled in very egregious ways. Fear and greed keeps all of this in motion.
The bottom Billion people live on less than one or two dollars a day and millions die each year for lack of medicines that cost the same amount, food, drinkable water and no safe place to live from overt violence or circumstance. Indifference to the struggles of other people comes from our own disempowered selves by thinking we can not affect such a large multifaceted situation that has existed for so long in our world. We tell ourselves we are busy with our own struggles and when and if there is time maybe some help can be spared for the bottom Billion. Being overwhelmed and stressed is a malady and also adds to our feelings of helplessness, keeping our personal worlds small. But, people of good will and compassion do exist; they reach out no matter what their personal needs are. They realize that when others suffer they are diminished as well.
We are the ones we have been waiting for. Not because we have all the money and answers needed to solve these problems, but we do have the expertise and heart to help others transform their circumstances on many levels. Every community is different with specific resources and abilities to manage its sustainability within its culture; honor that first. Support the dignity and lives of others in your community by sharing yourselves because that is your most valuable asset, while recognizing the value of others. It is not a hierarchy or a proving of who’s right, but an acknowledgement of each other’s humanity and right to exist. Recognize Structural Violence for what it is and chose life and make a personal vow to assist those experiencing it.
UBUNTU an African Philosophy: “We operate from the fact I am because you are. You’ve got to be okay for me to be okay, together we can make it.” – Dorah from Johannesburg
Ascension Unity Movement 