David Hart's NVI Writing and Videos

I've got opinions. I'll share some of them below, but first I want to share what I'm most proud of while at NVI. I take great pleasure in helping to raise up the voices of diverse younger leaders whose vision is shaping new vibrant movements with the power to heal this troubled world.

I created and actively supported our wonderful interns to both write and host online videos. The writings are collected in our Many Faces of Nonviolence series. You can find them all here.

There are so many moving contributions in this series, I hesitate to highlight just one. Still, I'll point readers to this piece that has been resonating deeply with me recently. Nimesh Wijewardane, a skilled intern, who helped NVI in so many ways, wrote this beautiful tribute to the great Thich Nhat Hanh. I hope you will read through the many great profiles in the Many Faces of Nonviolence series. There is a path forward to better world. I hope you will find inspiration, as I have, in this youth-led series.

I also initiated and worked with others to guide our Spotlight on Nonviolence web video series. In these moving videos young leaders spoke with people who inspired them, asked hard questions and shared from their hearts. Each video is posted individually on this site and collected on our YouTube channel. YouTube.com/Nonviolence

As unimaginable horror unfolds in Palestine, I've been pondering how my efforts to combat supremacy in my community have been both worthwhile and insufficient. When you welcome into government the sheet-less Klan, what do you expect would happen? In the US, in Israel, and sadly in many places around the world haters have seized or been voted into power. We must reclaim our future. I share these select pieces below and ask you to be in conversation with me about what you think those of us who work for true and lasting peace with justice should do in this moment.

Seeking hope in hard times, I wrote this piece calling in those protesting with me for democracy in Israel and seeking a conversation about how occupation is warping Judaism. "Every group should celebrate the unique beauty of their traditions, but whenever people suggest that “we” are somehow inherently better than “the other,” danger is close at hand. Anyone who pretends that a “Jewish soul” is superior to all others is warping our faith in a way that undermines our proud history. This belief is having a profound impact on key policy decisions and on people’s lives. Thus we have a clear and ongoing obligation to call out this evil from within our community."

In a more hopeful moment, I created this photo essay inspired by the Poor People’s Campaign

"Since we are able to accept the suffering of others when we dehumanize them, we must start with the simple recognition that Palestinians are fully human. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are calling out to be heard and need our support. Let us push past the boundaries of our comfort zones and look directly at the harsh reality of occupation and annexation. May that difficult process bring us closer to real and lasting peace." https://wagingnonviolence.org/forusa/2020/06/annexation-looms-lets-expand-our-compassion-to-include-palestinians/

"When we realize that we are all part of one another killing people doesn't seem like a good idea. As a Jew, I remember hearing the question - what would we have done if a concentration camp was being built in our neighborhood. I celebrate these faith leaders who decided that they would take it upon themselves to notice the ultimate horror of nuclear weapons being built and deployed in our communities and do what they could to knock down these crematorium towers rising among us... I celebrate the inspiration in the light shining from those whose commitment to peace seems to know no bounds."https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/many_faces_-_isaiah_project

"Recently in the United States, people who don’t understand the heart of nonviolence call loudly for “nonviolence.” Why? Because they want to maintain the brutally violent status quo. Active nonviolence must always be on the side of justice and can never support an unjust order." https://wagingnonviolence.org/cnv/2020/06/june-7-day-humanity-begins-save-ourselves-gandhi/

"We urge all those now praising John Lewis to understand how he was brutally attacked for his loving activism for justice. And, suggest we would do well to pull our gaze forward to today's movements and notice that there are still brutal forces of the status quo fighting against history. It is easy to sugarcoat history, but harder to see the reality of struggle when we are in the midst of it. You can't praise the Civil Rights Movement while attacking Black Lives Matter. They are part of one long painful, persistent, and powerful March for Justice." https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/lawson_on_lewis

In addition to raising up the voices of young leaders, I brought together our community to create and celebrate NVI's founder with the first ever Mubarak Awad Day.

I've also played key roles supporting our webinar series. At my urging we named the series after the great Barbara Deming's important reminder that We Are All Part of One Another.

I hosted a few and gave introductory remarks on others.

It is heartbreaking how relevant this video is today.

Short clip from same conversation.

I'll close with this silly / serious piece. I'm glad that NVI welcomed my suggestion to raise up not only our resources, but also the best nonviolent resources from around the web. Finally, please note our series of partner pages to raise up their impressive work.

Once upon a time...

At a time of growing global crisis, a call went out across the land.

People gathered deep in the heart of the troubled empire’s capital - they were full of fear.

Democracy itself was being tested here and around the world.

Violence was built into the economic and social systems.

Hatred followed fear to every part of the globe.

And, at the darkest hour, the light of active nonviolence shown brightly.

More and more people signed up to receive Rivera Sun's Nonviolence News.

Through this free publication they were able to celebrate the youth-led, diverse, global movements claiming a better future.

They searched and came upon a wonderful array of free resources that helped build movements for peace, justice, and planet.

Together the celebrated and supported Nonviolence International's wonderful partners.

Still, many issues plagued the people.