This is forwarded from EMU’s Conflict Transformation Program’s (CTP) list-serve. It contains an e-mail address for those interested in “analytical papers based on our [CTP] various areas of expertise and interest, including peacebuilding, responses to violence, trauma healing, work with victims of violence, restorative justice, worldview conflicts, and crisis management. These articles are intended to promote open and creative dialogue in society about immediate and long-term options in response to the events of September 11.”

Chris Landes MCC Cambodia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Colleagues:

In times of crisis, one’s national identity becomes more visible and clear. As the Conflict Transformation Program faculty and staff, we’ve become very conscious of our American identity in the days since the events of September 11. As Americans, we are realizing that this violence here in our home does indeed evoke different emotional responses than does violence in other places that are not our home. We also feel that we Americans can now understand at a deeper level the suffering and trauma that many other people have experienced as violence has torn apart societies and nations. The United States has joined the world community in a new way.

We are very aware that the actions of our country in the coming days and weeks may have global consequences, and as such, deserves to be treated very seriously. However, we are also very conscious of the fact that other conflicts and other suffering continue, both in the US and around the world. We do not want our legitimate and natural concern for our country and her citizens, and the potential for unwise and dangerous reactions by our government, to cause us to ignore these other conflicts that affect many of you.

Since September 11, the Conflict Transformation Program has received literally hundreds of messages from around the country and the world, offering sympathy and support, many from people who have undergone great suffering themselves, in places like Bosnia, Palestine, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, Somalia and many other countries. We have also received many requests for responses, and have had moments of feeling overwhelmed.

As we have struggled together in the past few days, we have discussed the most helpful way that we can respond, given both our theological and professional understandings. We have consulted with friends and colleagues in a variety of places. We have determined that our best contribution at this time is to provide options for reframing the discussions about what has happened, and to explore ideas about how to pursue responses that will lead to a sustainable, just peace rather than a continued escalation of conflict and violence. To do this, we will create and disseminate a series of analytical papers based on our various areas of expertise and interest, including peacebuilding, responses to violence, trauma healing, work with victims of violence, restorative justice, worldview conflicts, and crisis management. These articles are intended to promote open and creative dialogue in society about immediate and long-term options in response to the events of September 11.

The articles will be posted on the Conflict Transformation Program website at http://www.emu.edu/ctp/bse-intro.html, and will be distributed by email to people and organizations with whom we have related through the years.

We realize that our responseis but one small part of massive American responses to this horrible action, by individuals, religious and civic organizations, the rescue and humanitarian assistance community, victims’ groups, our government and many others.

CTP’s response is also just one small part of the world’s response to this particular crisis and the others that continue around the US and the world. We want our particular response to be part of the larger work happening in homes, communities, religious groups, peacemaking organizations, and other places around the world to relieve suffering and prevent further violence.

We feel very privileged to be part of a network of experienced and highly-committed colleagues from around the United States and the world. We covet your prayers, your wisdom, and your help in keeping us centered and rooted as we work at this, and respond to the many requests and items that are coming to us from our colleagues around the country and the world.

Below is one of the first articles to be posted. If you would like to receive all the articles as they go out, please send your e-mail address to <> and you’ll be added to the list to receive them electronically. We will not continue sending them to this list-serve, but will be pleased to send them to anyone who wants them and can use them.

Four Reasons to Use the War Metaphor with Caution Beyond September 11

The events of September 11 have raised legitimate concerns about justice and security. Many people are demanding some form of response to punish or otherwise mete out justice to the perpetrators. All of us want some reassurances that we will not have to live in constant fear of violence and terror.

Given our reliance as a nation on a war metaphor for describing many difficult situations (e.g., war on poverty, war on drugs, war on crime), it is natural that we would talk of our current situation as a state of war, even if we do not envision an immediate massive counter-attack. Nevertheless, this metaphor should be used with great caution.

1. If we describe this as a war, we grant the perpetrators of these unspeakable acts a legitimacy they do not deserve.

* These are criminal acts. * We have no evidence that those who perpetrated them are rulers of a state or nation. * And, they do not appear to fall into the category of revolutionaries – i.e., representatives of a disenfranchised identity group seeking representation within a state or nation.

2. If we describe this as a war, we imply that war can bring our enemies to their knees and keep them from ever harming us again.

* We have yet to fight successfully a “war to end all wars” and this will be no exception. * The perpetrators of this horror are not clearly identifiable, cannot be located easily, and probably cannot be attacked successfully using military means. * Military attacks on any nation that harbors the criminals responsible for these atrocities will create thousands of refugees; refugee camps have been the breeding ground for suicide bombers. Thus, we will only perpetuate the cycle of fear and terror for our children and grandchildren.

3. If we describe this as a war, we avoid examining the motives of those we consider to be enemies.

* We assume that we understand what motivates the “enemy others” and that we can predict their responses to our military actions. * We fail to examine and address the conditions and policies that have given rise to the cycles of unrest, violence, and terror that have been escalating around the world and that on September 11, 2001 entered the previously “safe space” of our nation.

4. If we describe this as a war, we betray our own highest values of justice, due process, and fairness.

* If we bomb innocent people in retaliation, we commit the same atrocity that we saw on Tuesday. * Criminals are granted rights that enemies in war are denied. * If we fail to invoke the national and international laws that apply to criminal acts, we undercut the rule of law and weaken the sources of our own long-term protection.

Jayne Docherty, Ph.D Associate Professor of Conflict Transformation Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA 22802 540-432-4490 September 17, 2001

Janice Jenner, Director Institute for Justice and Peacebuilding Conflict Transformation Program Eastern Mennonite University 1200 Park Road Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Ph: 540-432-4238; Fax: 540-432-4449