the making of peace, over the course of two days

Every year, the Office of Diversity at the WWU puts on a Peacemaking Weekend. It's headed up by a very unique and loved Theology professor named Pedrito- he was once referred to by the university president as a "spicy Jamaican " And he really is. He is full to the brim with passion and zest for life, so when Pedrito calls for peace, you had better answer!

We went downtown and read poems about peace to the passing community; poems and prose and speeches. Appropriately, and to Pedrito's absolute delight, the entire steel band came out as well to play some island jams in between readings. The reading I appreciated the most, KTW had chosen. It is part of President Obama's Speech to the Muslim World at Cairo University from June 4, 2009:

"All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort — a sustained effort — to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples — a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us, "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth."

We know that we can live peacefully- and it begins very small in each individual. Today, I am making peace in small ways as an individual.