{"id":107315,"date":"2018-03-12T12:02:11","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T12:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=107315"},"modified":"2018-03-14T09:01:53","modified_gmt":"2018-03-14T09:01:53","slug":"in-pursuit-of-peace-and-justice-100-peace-justice-leaders-and-models-list-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2018\/03\/in-pursuit-of-peace-and-justice-100-peace-justice-leaders-and-models-list-3\/","title":{"rendered":"In Pursuit of Peace and Justice: 100 Peace & Justice Leaders and Models (List #3)"},"content":{"rendered":"

(See Lists #1<\/a> and #2<\/a> here)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Continuing the Legacy . . .<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

9 Mar 2018 – <\/em>With a continuing commitment to the work and consequences of Reverend Martin Luther King\u2019s <\/strong>enduring efforts to promote peace and justice through non-violence, we submit a third list of living peace and justice leaders and models for recognition and distribution.<\/p>\n

We are eternally grateful for Reverend King\u2019s efforts to free people and nations from the brutal oppressions imposed by governments, nations, societies, organizations, and individuals. Regardless of the source, those who willfully support and sustain the evils of racism, prejudice, violence, and war, will yield to peace and justice leaders because of an inherent moral sense, even if denied in some.<\/p>\n

Reverend King\u2019s commitment to freedom from oppression and abuse compel us to continue his efforts far beyond the words, song, and promises of his day. His abuse from corrupt government offices and officials likely resulted in his assassination. Reverend King\u2019s awareness of his persecution and perhaps assassination at the hands of his enemies did not prevent him from continuing his efforts; he knew even in his death, his truths would endure.<\/p>\n

List 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like other prior published Lists, the individuals cited on this List come represent a variety of demographic markers including gender, ethnicity, race, age, nation, religion, and life- style persuasion.\u00a0 By accessing the URL accompanying the person\u2019s name, you can read of their peace and justice activism and advocacy.<\/p>\n

We have reviewed each person\u2019s contributions and were privileged to consider their listing.\u00a0 It is axiomatic some individuals will be criticized by others for their presence because of masked activities. Clearly, in a world of fake news, misrepresentations, and hacking, errors may be made. Forgive us if this is the case. We are earnest in our effort to bring recognition to those whose efforts required courage and commitment.<\/p>\n

Our choice of the number 100 is arbitrary, for there are thousands of individuals who deserve citation. Most are not listed; we will continue to create list for future efforts. Do not be dismayed! Patience! We believed it essential to develop lists of living peace and justice activists and advocates to encourage and foster peace and justice work.<\/p>\n

In the omnipresent face of abuses and oppression, in the face of persecution from government and private sources demonstrated via the betrayal and misuse of the secret FISA Court\u2019s politicization and weaponization,\u00a0 we\u00a0 recall and honor iconic peace and justice leaders of the past, including Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Samuel Gompers, Caesar Chavez, Larry Itliong, Rachel Corrie, Philip Berrigan & Daniel Berrigan, Glenn Paige, Hedy Epstein, Malcolm X, and scores of others.<\/p>\n

Peace and justice advocates and activists, across time, are testimony to the enduring human spirit to resist oppression to claim liberty, and to endure, even when the costs are life. Individuals recognized on List 1, List 2, and now List 3 are part of the tradition of resistance to oppression, and the promotion of peace and justice.<\/p>\n

There can be no greater honor! Regardless of religious persuasion, the beautiful words from the Sermon on the Mount resonate across time and place: Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called children of God.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> (Matthew 5.9KJV).<\/p>\n

Spirit of Our Times<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a new spirit of encounter (e.g., Black Lives Matter); a new spirit of protest evidenced by DC gatherings for women and minority groups; a new spirit of communication among media free of government or wealth controls; there is a new spirit of protest against war and militarism, and the spending of a nation\u2019s wealth on weaponry and endless war; there is a new spirit of concern for life and land, especially regarding anthropogenic climate changes; there is a new spirit of determination to expose the abuses of privilege and position by select government official who have politicized and weaponized laws for personal use (e.g., FISA).<\/p>\n

These emerging changes signal and sustain \u201cHope!\u201d \u00a0\u201cHope\u201d is the life blood of progressive change. \u201cHope\u201d can be suppressed and oppressed, but it cannot be defeated. \u00a0\u201cHope\u201d endures because it is the essence of life. \u00a0Regardless of life forms and species, \u201cHope\u201d is the evolutionary impulse pursuing survival and becoming.<\/p>\n

We consider our efforts a beginning, and we will continue to publish new lists. This is so because the struggle for peace and justice is endless, and each day new people are rising to the call. This is as it should be, and must be, until such time as the forces of oppression fall before the forces of good; evil will continue, but human virtue, endowed in human conscience, will triumph!<\/p>\n

Goals of Peace and Justice<\/strong><\/p>\n

Almost two decades ago, David Reiff (1999), in his classic paper, \u201cThe precarious triumph of human rights\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(New York Times Magazine<\/em>, August 8, pp. 36-4) articulated his view of \u201cnew moral order\u201d<\/strong> characteristics; his thoughts were prescient:<\/p>\n