Clare Bronfman

I remember sitting in the girls locker room before gym class – I could hear the playful boisterous voices of my classmates down the hall – however I was alone. I was 12 years old, and the only girl in my class at school. I wanted so badly to be like the boys – to be accepted by them to be allowed to play with them - I tried to rid myself of all “girly” qualities and blend in.

Two days ago three of my friends, two men and a woman, were discussing different “games” we could share with a larger group of our friends to help alleviate fear and develop trust in our community. There were certain things we could not all agree upon – and I was perplexed as to why! I easily slip back to my childhood where I forget to notice just how different we are from each other, neither good nor bad, just different. For the past two years, I have been a part of a women’s organization – Jness - which imparts a curricula developed to help women distinguish the differences between men and women, understand the differences and embrace them. Through this education I am learning about the essence of a woman in me and the beauty of vulnerability, and the true strength we have within us.

In history women have stood together to bring about change peacefully, to stop violence through non-violence, yet here at home, we are often blind to it. Here it is a subtle violence, one we all participate in: We destroy our own essence, by trying to blend in, by judging our differences, by believing the modern day image of a woman is who we are or should be – through this we destroy the essence of both man and woman.

Women have a special capacity to lead us to a more peaceful world with compassion, affection and kindness. And there is no more important time for that than this moment.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom. You can only be free if I am free.”

- Clarence Darrow

In 1493 Christopher Columbus returned to Spain with tales of a discovery of the “New World”. This “New World” was the discovery of what is now known as America, a land that had been long inhabited by a civilization of self sufficient and spiritually evolved human beings. This discovery marked the inception of a new era for this civilization – the need to fight for their heritage and right to live freely in a country that was their home.

The catastrophic clash between the “Native American’s” and European American societies maybe one of the most well hidden, under publicised atrocities of the world today.

When the colonies revolted against the United Kingdom and established the United States of America - the idea of “Manifest Destiny” became an integral part of the American nationalist movement. Manifest Destiny (1845) was a term coined to explain/justify the American expansion and invasion into Native American territory. The American government took it upon themselves to capture the children of the natives and sent them to boarding schools where they were forbidden to speak their native language, denied the right to practise their religions and forced to abandon their Native American Identities. This process was deemed “naturalisation” and mandatory for Native Americans to become citizens of the “New” America - a country they had inhabited for centuries.

The Native American people of today’s world are still struggling to keep their traditions alive. Over time their land has continued to be captured and their way of life controlled and suppressed by the American Government.

We had the privilege of meeting and learning from Russell and Pearl Means and Phyllis Young during our inaugural WEFC event. They shared a unique perspective on life and a culture so few of us have ever heard of. The Native American way of life promotes compassion and respect for all life. They believe in a Matriarch system – a system provides for a strong, compassionate, peaceful and harmonious foundation. It is a tremendous tragedy we have oppressed a civilization we could learn and benefit greatly from. How different could our world be if we were able to let go of our fears and live peacefully amongst one another recognising our differences are blessings as each individual, race, culture, religion and country brings something unique, and potentially beneficial to all of humanity.

If there is one person in the world who truly represents a non-violent stand against injustice, it is Mahatma Ghandi.  He was the pioneer of satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women’s rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, but above all achieving Swaraj—the independence of India from foreign domination.

Ghandi swore to always speak the truth and encouraged others to do the same. His dedication to his principles earned him his place in history as an icon for non-violent revolution.

the incredible power of song to unite us all…  beautiful video.