AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt
DCL
The green movement covers a lot of ground. From a Soccer Mom bringing her own bag to the supermarket to the anarchist tree sitting for months, activists engage at a variety of levels. In addition, those deeply concerned about environmental issues often "cross over" into activism related to war and peace, social justice, etc. But, where and how can we all connect?
"Relational activism begins with individuals," writes Nancy Stohlman. "It begins with a commitment to full respect living, both for others as well as towards ourselves. The goal should be respectful 'same as' relationships rather than stepping on one another in order to climb a ladder constructed by the very society that we want to transform. We need to establish solidarity and the full respect of our differences without the requirement of unification in order to end the power struggles within the movement, to understand that activism is a machine whose parts work in tandem. Once we stop competing, we can start collaborating."
Stohlman quotes The Dalai Lama—"World peace begins with inner peace. World disarmament with inner disarmament"—adding, "This is where we can win."
