From us vs. them

Resisting yet another deadly binary

Last month’s meeting of leaders and partners in the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP). Read ALLMEP’s statement on the devastating violence in Gaza and Israel, which begins “ALLMEP stands in solidarity with our members across the region: the brave Israelis and Palestinians who refuse to be enemies, and who are working to shape a reality where events such as those witnessed over the past few days become unimaginable.”

From in/out
From good/evil
From holy/heathen
From righteous/wrong
From mine/yours
From us/them

To we
Starting
With me.

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How can two (or more) opposing perspectives both be true? What is the kernel of truth within our opponent’s view?

Can we take responsibility for seeing and speaking that truth? What becomes possible when we do?

Does greater power confer greater responsibility in this work?

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