Letters of Hope for the Season for Nonviolence
Visit daily during the Season for Nonviolence for new letters
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Poetic Musings on a Way Forward Influenced by Gandhian Principles Human spirit once again rising up against all odds and slowly reaching, stretching for the light of self-realization. Unfurling, opening to breathe in the fresh air of freedom, equality, justice, empowerment. Again a regime had grabbed hold and clamped down on individuality and understanding slowly squeezing out the lifeforce of people numbed by the narcotic of materialism. Somnambulistic actors reaching for brass rings attached to their own collective peril somehow blinded to this connection. How had it come to this again? From the earliest days, this pattern of oppression, regression, suppression, colonialism, imperialism, totalitarianism, domination of the masses. With different names… slavery, feudalism, castes, apartheid, segregation, serfdom, tyranny Yet always the same… might over right. This time shackles so wonderfully adorned as to not be seen with alarm at all by most. And even to be sought at the peril of all by untold legions. Good, honourable people fallen prey to false idols. Brilliant irony to harden hearts to the good of all in pursuit of short term pleasures for just a few. The allure and intoxication of the economy of greed. Which in the end when exposed, laid bare reveals the same tyranny as all oppression just now somewhat less bloody or so it appears. How then that from the midst of oppression the human spirit could flicker back to life as sometimes has happened even when the embers seemed as dark and cold as hopelessness? And that somehow someone with vision strong and steady enough to pierce the darkness of this clouded facet of the human condition arises, phoenix-like whose laser vision sees the truth and lights the way, removing the veils which have shrouded all in darkness of one kind or another. Giants of wisdom, compassion, gentleness. Reminding us that….We. Are. Better. Then. This. Truth weavers. Humanity believers. Legacy leavers. whose light creates a beacon for those who seek a path of justice for all. And there was one such as this. Small in stature enormous in impact sounding a clarion call for truth which could not be ignored. Showing a way forward through Ahimsa – Nonviolence Sarvodaya – the Uplift of All Satyagraha – Soul Force Swaraj – Self Empowerment. Bapu. Mahatma. Servant Leader. Justice Seeker. Truth Speaker. You returned love for hate showed the way out of oppression by creating a path of gentleness and steely determination leading to justice through selflessness. We thank you for your courage and your vision for showing us a way leaving us your footprints which could serve as blueprints for a way forward even today. Colleen Ring, Edmonton, Alberta 
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From an indigenous perspective, world peace day is a time to reflect on the teachings of our ancestors, who understand the importance of living in harmony with the land and all living beings. It’s a day to remember that peace isn’t just having no conflict, but also respecting the rights and dignity of everyone, including the rights of all indigenous peoples to self determination and cultural preservation. We see this day as an opportunity to share our traditional knowledge and practices of peacemaking which has been passed down through generations, these practices often involve consensus-building and restorative justice, all aimed at healing relationships and addressing the causes of conflict. It’s a time to honour the resilience of indigenous communities who have faced challenges and violence and the commitment to building a more peaceful world for all. Kaylee Barlow, Poundmaker First Nation  My letter to hate groups everywhere Rama Singh Hamilton, Ontario I write this with the basic premise that people are good. Nevertheless, there are those who choose to act in ways that are not only beyond reason and decency, but they are also unthinkable. After the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 150,000 instantly, Robert Oppenheimer stated to President Truman: “Mr. President I feel I have blood on my hands.” He was taking moral responsibility for the consequences of his creation. Oppenheimer was a man of conscience, an example of human decency and integrity. Hitler’s hands were drenched in the blood of six million Jews. The Holocaust was the result of his internalized hatred of Jews and his anti-Semitic national policies. Hitler died at the end of the war, an unrepentant mass murderer. The slaughter of two million people during the India-Pakistan partition, and of nearly a million in the ethnic slaughter in Rwanda, shows mass hatred can engulf people like a highly infectious disease. Like a mutation, mass hatred has returned in a deadly form. Blood is being spilled in God’s house, places of worships - churches, synagogues, mosques - and innocent men, women and children are being killed by individuals driven by hatred and violent extremism peddled by hate groups all over the world. Hate will kill us all. Let me give you an example of how hate is being fanned. A friend of mine brought to my attention an alt-right ad with a bunch of provocative questions to enlist new members. As I read it, I said to myself ‘hmm’ and nodded in agreement with some of the points they raise but not in ways you might think. Here are my answers. Your ad is addressed to ‘white persons’. I am not a white person by race but in my country of birth I would be considered a ‘white person’ by the colour of my skin as well as by being a member of the upper caste with its perks and privileges. No, I am not ‘tired of political correctness.’ Freedom of speech is a laudable goal but it presumes equality of opportunity for all participants. Political correctness is not the permanent solution but it promotes laudable goals for groups that are marginalized on the basis of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation. No, diversity and multiculturalism are not ‘limited to only white countries.’ India has been effectively multicultural for millennia and people of different faiths and colour lived together. Multiculturalism is the wave of the future. You are wrong: diversity does not mean ‘less white people.’ Diversity is natural and accepting diversity means creating room for immigrants, much like your grandparents and great-grandparents, regardless of their creed, colour or ethnicity. No, white people are not ‘being blamed for all the world’s problems.’ But it would be absurd to deny that nations have exploited nations on the basis of race, religion and ethnicity. Nobody can say ‘you’re racist for celebrating your heritage.’ But I will say you are racist if you do not allow others to celebrate theirs. Yes, I am disgusted by the ‘garbage’ on television as well as on - you forgot - social media. Abuse of social media is fanning hate and I am told there are over 100 hate groups in Canada alone. Unlike you, I do see a future for myself and my family. But I would be lying if I did not say that I am really worried about climate change, about the rising hate and violent extremism, and the spreading of anti-immigrant fear. To answer, ‘When will immigration stop?’: it will stop when powerful countries stop manufacturing phony wars and forced migration. It will stop when people are allowed to develop their own means of subsistence and do not rely on handouts. So as you can see, we have some common ground. The difference is that while we both are angry about what is going on in the world, you have chosen to spread hate and violence and I have chosen to channel my anger in constructive ways. You have power in your hands to stop the bloodshed. You can stop spreading hate. Alt-right groups may not have been created as hate groups but once created, a group mentality prevails that looks for a target to blame. While conscience belongs to individuals, not to groups, groups can end up doing what their individual members will not. Whether a member of an alt-right or any other group, you are not the ‘monster’ some think you are. I believe you are basically a decent human being and have a conscience; you can put it to good use. There are times you have to take a stand and let your conscience speak. And say to yourself, as Gandhi did: “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” You have a choice. Choose to build, not to destroy. Rama Singh is a Professor (emeritus) at McMaster University and a founder of Gandhi Peace Festival. His area of research and teaching includes human diversity and human nature. Note: This article first appeared in Hamilton Spectator, April 6, 2019.  To my son, I asked you this morning what peace meant to you. You told me that peace means that everyone feels safe. As I reflect on this idea, I wonder about this notion of safety and peace and how we attain it. Safety and the word peace have often been adopted as reasons for war with violence seen as a necessary step towards everyone feeling safe. Our own police at the University of Alberta have adopted the name Peace Officers but our Palestinian students and allies whose protests were broken up May 11th, 2024 might disagree with that label of peace. Framing the encampment and protest as safe or unsafe became a determining factor in whether violence could be used to remove it and silence this protest. In this way, the illusion of peace and safety were the reasons for instigating violent action against the protestors. For me peace is an important ideal. Something to preserve as we continue to work in dialogue through conflict and differences. Coming from a Mennonite community, peace and even pacifism were important ideals that I was brought up to hold in high regard. My own grandfather was a conscientious objector during World War II. If you google my name, Katie Brubacher, you will find a play called Quiet in the Land, where the lead female character shares the same name as me. This character is a Mennonite and pacifist who struggles with her family and community's ideals when a romantic interest decides to go to war and fight for his country. Questioning war as a solution to conflict and disagreement is an important aspect of how I view peace - not as an instigator for more violence but as a call to continue to work through difficult communication with our perceived enemies. Your own name, Isaac Brubacher, is a combination of my last name and your great grandfather’s. I did some research before I officially named you to determine if anyone else had your name in the past. Your name was listed along with your great grandfather’s Roy Snyder, as a conscientious objector during World War II. This made me feel proud of the name I had chosen for you, as it connected to your familial heritage through blood lines but also through pacifist action. I also remember your grandfather telling me about a speech he had given at his church where he reflected on wisdom. In his years as a young man, he had travelled to India for his work in the cattle industry. He connected with one of Gandhi’s disciples. This man left a deep impression of my grandfather because despite his enormous wealth, the man chose to sleep on the ground in a small hut and impart wisdom to his followers. In our modern world, I hope you can find the strength and courage to act as your ancestors in finding alternative approaches to conflict in even the most difficult times. Love, Your mother (Katie Brubacher, Edmonton, Alberta)  Dear All, When dark clouds are gathering above and they are blocking the light, it makes it ever more important to look at the light, the love, and the hope that exists. I echo the words of Dr. Jane Goodall, who reminded us that hope is a choice, and is one that we must make every morning when we wake up. We are not separate from the natural world — we are part of it. And that means our hope, our thoughts, and our actions still matter. I am the granddaughter of European immigrants to Canada — including a Holocaust survivor and a refugee — and I was born in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, where my parents were volunteer teachers. When I feel tired and grieve for our world, I think of them and what they went through during WWII and the courage it took to rebuild their lives. Today, the threats posed to human rights, democracy, decency, and truth around the globe are real and painful. When we feel powerless to address the massive issues facing our world today, they may seem overwhelming. It may feel that small actions — at the local, community, or classroom level — are insignificant. But, as Jane Goodall reminds us, we never could have imagined that the flapping of one butterfly’s wings could affect weather patterns in another part of the planet. I channel her energy in my undergraduate courses, where we discussed the estimated 92 live conflicts around the world and the growing crisis of mental health among young people. We also practiced self-reflection, open communications and group collaboration skills. My diverse group of thoughtful students represent countries and cultures from all regions of the world in my Mississauga university classroom. They work through their own small group conflicts, learn to communicate more effectively, and solve real-life issues together across cultures. In one activity, I prompted them to share one step they would take to make the world a kinder, more equitable and peaceful place by posting a sticky note on our classroom wall. Here are a few of their comments that I would like to share today: “I promise to be more open and accepting towards others”. “I will make my mom dinner when she gets home from work.” “I will get my brother soup because he is sick”. “I will reach out to a friend who is struggling” “Every small act of kindness creates a ripple of goodness in the world. Today and everyday you are love and light”. These comments may not seem like much, but as we stood in our classroom and read them aloud to each other, they gained energy and meaning. Students from across the university shared with me how strange and unique it was to have this space for sharing and learning these skills in these ways. I knew that the sincerity and care shown by these students was real, and hope begins with small acts. So, like Jane Goodall and my university students, I choose to go with hope. Leigh Anne Ingram, Barrie, Ontario  We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the most important ways we can create the deep change we seek—to alter the course of history for the benefit of future generations—is to live mindfully with gratitude, and to cultivate seeds of peace and joy within ourselves and in all of our relationships. This may sound too simple, but it is not simplistic. If there is anything we can learn from what we are witnessing at this time, it is that something is profoundly out of balance. We are bound by a network of mutuality, but we see an organised effort to destroy systems that we rely upon for mutual cooperation and accountability. Violence and misinformation are broadcast toward us on multiple channels of power and governance. Senseless violence can erupt anywhere. We see mass killings, laws broken without recourse, ecological destruction, neo-imperial land grabs, and the dehumanisation and caging of human beings. This heavy load can creep into our psyches, reaching us through what news or social media we consume. The chaos and destructiveness before us are difficult to metabolize; they can cause us to feel powerless and pull us toward despair. But this is why we rise to share another definition of power born in liberation movements. The leadership of untruth may be organized in its effort to convince us we are powerless, but we are not bound by their definition of power. We can choose the power that comes from within ourselves and our communities. Our power is in understanding how to cultivate seeds of peace, joy and love. When we do this, we acknowledge the simple truth that everything is interconnected and how we live affects others, and together we create the destiny we want. Living mindfully with gratitude, we can find peace and joy within ourselves, and nurture our unique power to multiply it. Mindfulness practices, meditation and self-care help us to live authentically. We learn about our true nature, which enables us a freedom of choice. With the freedom to choose our responses we become free from assigned roles and ideas that run counter to this idea of freedom to choose to plant seeds of peace. We become capable of authentic communication, listen to our intuition, stand for what we believe in, and truly support peace within ourselves and others. Living in this way is not naïve. It is a refusal to participate in the destruction we are witnessing. When we choose peace in our own bodies, relationships, and how we consume, we interrupt cycles of harm. When we cultivate peace, joy and love within ourselves, we bring it to our embodied everyday relationships. We find space and time to love and nurture the important people in our lives. We develop friendships with others who elevate peace and freedom from oppression and violence. In this way, we build strength in our communities, generate hope, and bring support and joy to those around us. We make the world we want to see—and we have fun doing it! Seonagh Kummer Los Angeles, California and Salt Spring Island, BC  Dear knitters and crafters everywhere, A lot of people look at our knitting and our crafting and say, “oh, that’s so cute and quaint.” We make beautiful things that are also functional and useful in real life. How many babies have been kept warmed and cozy with our blankets? How many necks have we protected from the cold with our scarves? Countless. The act of making something by hand, especially in the age of where things could be purchased in seconds on our phones that only cost pennies, seems so anachronistic sometimes. Out of this is the loss of amazing skills and techniques as well as ways for people to connect with each other. But knitting has a heritage of resistance and making itself known in times of struggles. Yarn bombing was started in the early 2000s as a way to make political statements, from protecting trees to raising awareness on social issues. So when ICE agents descended on Minnesota in late 2025 and into early 2026, Needle and Skein—a yarn store in the Minneapolis area—created a pattern for a red hat for knitters to make. The pattern pays homage to a hat that Norwegians wore during the Nazi occupation as a way to support the resistance. It became so associated with the resistance that the hat was banned, and it remains one of the important anti-war and anti-Nazi symbols in Norway. We know that as much as symbols are important, symbols alone don’t change the world and don’t offer concrete and material support to those who are oppressed. Needle and Skein also uses the sale of the pattern (at US$5 each) to raise funds for those affected by the ICE raids. As of February 2026, they have raised and distributed nearly US$700,000 from more than 50 countries around the world. This shows what knitters can do and what knitters do do when things get tough … We pull out our needles and yarns and WE KNIT!! For those who look at knitting and all the other forms of crafting as something from the good old days, we say: think again. For those who underestimate the power of people with needles and fuzzy yarn, really think again … hard. Annie Luk Toronto, Ontario  |
