Owen Allen’s Post

There is space for all when there is dialog & nonviolent interaction between the 80% non-radicals, this leads to mutual understanding & empathy. There is no need for two states with borders preventing such process. Living as equals will bring people together and break the circle of violence, establishing sustainable peace. www.pax.ngo https://lnkd.in/dxczCccB

For clergy and church friends: this looks to be a useful and timely conversation:

🕌 A Call for Peace and Unity in the UK As a Muslim woman, it is heartbreaking to see the violence affecting communities across the UK. These incidents remind us of the urgent need for empathy, understanding, and action to address the root cause of what is happening. Perhaps I have been complacent in the past few years thinking that I could be myself and demonstrate my religion and blend of cultures without violence or attack. There has always been judgement but nothing that would make me second guess saying what I believe. I now feel frustrated, resentful and fearful for my children and family. 🌍 Our Strength is in Our Diversity The UK is home to diverse cultures and communities, and it’s important that we celebrate this diversity rather than let fear and misunderstanding divide us. We must come together to find solutions that promote peace and security for everyone. Our shared future depends on the actions we take today. Thank you to all of the allies showing up to support colleagues, friends and their communities through this challenging time. #PeaceAndUnity #CommunityStrength #MuslimVoices #Inclusivity #Accountability #UKriots

Responding to the alarming rise in antisemitism, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has today appointed Anthony Housefather as the Special Advisor on Jewish Community Relations and Antisemitism. This strategic move aims to bolster safety and support for Jewish Canadians. #AnthonyHousefather #antisemitisminCanada #Canadiangovernmentadvisor #combatingantisemitism #Governmentinitiatives #hateandbigotry #Holocaustremembrance #JewishCanadiansafety #Jewishcommunityrelations #thxnews

Understanding Through Peace! The recent riots across the UK have left us all heartbroken, especially with the tragic loss of three innocent young lives. In these moments of profound sadness and turmoil, it’s vital to ask ourselves: Why do we need to resort to violence? Violence not only scars our streets but also wounds the most vulnerable among us—those already struggling, sick, hurt, lonely, fearful and lost. Each act of violence potentially harms those who are least able to bear it, moving us further away from the solutions and healing we so desperately need in our world today. What can we do instead? • Stay Informed: Understand the issues deeply and from all perspectives. • Encourage conversation: Promote open discussions at home, in our communities, and online. • Support Peace Efforts: Join or aid organisations that foster peace and reconciliation. • Show Empathy: Consider the battles others are facing, and approach with compassion. • Lead with Kindness: Demonstrate that kindness and respect are the true paths to change. When in doubt, let us remember that the kind thing is always the right thing!! #ChoosePeace #CommunityHealing #ActsWithKindness #kindness #peace

Sharing a little support, friends. When you are being trolled with “whataboutery” or are being forced into a defensive position for your Palestine advocacy, take a pause. Focus on what is happening and what you need in the moment. If a person is not coming to the conversation with openness and good faith, you can ignore them. They are looking for a fight and you don’t have to indulge them. This is self-caring and energy-conserving, both of which should be high priority. If it is someone you care for and you feel anxious because it’s going to be a difficult conversation, set it up so you can engage purposefully. Arrange for another time to talk. Be clear on what you want to contribute and your boundaries in the conversation. If you are coming to an engagement with the idea you are going to “convince” someone, go back to the drawing board. Any conversation is only an offer. You may have to agree to disagree. You may have to have to have many conversations. You may have to re-evaluate your relationship. Be fluid and agile and intentional. Emotions are meant to inform you about your surroundings, your inner state and your grounding in your values. Listen to them and honour them with discernment and focus on what outcome you are looking to achieve. Then act accordingly. If emotions are taking over (on your part or the other person’s) then step back and reassess how (or even if) you want to engage and when. (Just because you’re in a bad situation doesn’t mean you have to stay there.) Do not allow yourself to be drawn into someone else’s bullying or aggression in engagements. Recently, an Israeli citizen trolled one of my posts and tried to use my DEI background to call me out as a hypocrite for assuming their complicity. I didn’t take the bait and put it back to them: Why are you on LI trolling people’s posts? If you were not complicit, you would be rallying your citizens and your government to end the gen*cide. You would use your LI platform to speak about solutions for peace for EVERYONE amd not centre “poor you.” You would speak with humanity and compassion for ALL hostages to be released as well as the thousands of children, women, men and elders who are unlawfully detained in your country. You would take your “blame and shame” attitude and rightfully apply it to your citizens who are actively participating in gen*cide by blocking humanitarian aid. You would at least once in this self-centered comment mention the annihilation of Palestine and Palestinians with some semblance of regret and contrition and take responsibility for how your society has created an entire infrastructure, education and economy around apartheid and occupation. You want accountability then BE ACCOUNTABLE. These are all elements of purposeful communication. Would love to hear your thoughts - let’s share strategies. Keep #speakingup and #speakingout. In strength and solidarity, friends. 💗💪🏽 #ceasefirenow #freefreepalestine 🇵🇸

It is hypocritical that many of these councils proudly put up signs like #RacismNotWelcome but blatantly display their own racism when it comes to a #ceasefire motion for Palestine On their website it reads: Manningham Council has joined the campaign because: Manningham is a very multicultural municipality – about half of us were born overseas or had one or more parents born overseas. When racial tensions develop, they don't just affect one or two of us - they affect us all as neighbours, workmates, friends and fellow Australians. Studies have found that people experiencing racism can suffer from poor mental health and, to a lesser extent, poor physical health (VicHealth 2021) The Manningham Healthy City Strategy identifies reducing racism as an important action in the Reduced injury and harm category. To help put an end to racism, everyone must take an active role, no matter who they are, including local councils. The campaign provides us as a community, an opportunity to send a strong message that racism is NOT welcome in Manningham or anywhere else.

I’ve seen an alarming amount of people on this and other social media platforms spew this idea that freeing Palestine will lead to violence or g e n I c I d e against the Israeli’s living there. This video gives a good explanation as to why that is faulty logic and racist projection. Someone on here posted a statement in support of Palestinians and someone, who holds a position of leadership in the NASW (the biggest social work organization in the US) responded with “what’s your vision for the area if they were free?!” Do I need to explain why this type of thinking in someone who claims to be a social worker, who works with A LOT of vulnerable populations (I checked their bio) is dangerous? Do I need to explain how this person’s inherent bias is showing? Do I need to explain how the lack of self awareness in people working in social work and mental health is dangerous and puts BIPOC people in danger? Please let me know because I will do a deep dive on this if it’s not abundantly clear why this is dangerous.