By Chao Shete
It may seem misplaced to speak of hope, especially to people whose lives have been displaced by war, and rightfully so, because how do you propose something as abstract as 'hope' to someone deep in the trenches, seeking cover from a world that has turned against them?
Historians believe that the first conflict ever recorded took place over 13,000 years ago in Mesopotamia; a region in present-day Iraq. While the specifics of that war remain elusive, both historians and researchers reckon it was likely due to societies competing for limited resources. Regrettably, since this first conflict, warfare has evolved; with the advancement of technology and ideology shaping the nature of most conflicts. Even more unfortunate is how these advancements have set in motion a cycle of hostility and violence that the human race has been unable to escape. As a result, over many millennia, people have grown accustomed to news of staggering conquests, valiant victories, and tragic concessions. From devastating old civil and world wars down to the persistent Congo war; our collective history has been punctuated with blood stains and the lingering shadows of vengeful adversaries. In fact, while watching global news, one may be forgiven for assuming that news channels intentionally and relentlessly deluge their viewers with distressing information.
Surprisingly - and brace yourself for this - researchers suggest that amidst the incessant horrors that we see displayed all across our screens, we are currently experiencing one of the most peaceful periods of human history. While there has been an uptick in deaths due to civil wars in recent years, thanks to conflicts in different regions, experts note that these casualties pale in comparison to historical figures. In fact, the overall per capita death toll has significantly declined since the end of the Cold War. This is undoubtedly a great achievement for the 21st century. Nevertheless, those same experts further point out that, as much as we live in arguably the most peaceful epochs in history—opinions may vary—many societies ‘at peace’ are far from peaceful.
In mankind’s efforts to broker peace among nations, terms like 'ceasefire', 'peace-dialogue', and 'justice' have not only become entrenched in our daily conversations, but also gained prominence on the international stage. Yet, the daunting question still remains: How do we cultivate peace in a world seemingly stuck in a cycle of conflict? Even more disheartening is the dilemma of finding hope amid times of war.
It may seem misplaced to speak of hope, especially to people whose lives have been displaced by war, and rightfully so, because how do you propose something as abstract as 'hope' to someone deep in the trenches, seeking cover from a world that has turned against them? How then can you ask a mother who lost her infant child to believe that the people responsible for her child’s death are not animals? How does one even begin to ask war victims to be hopeful? It sounds misinformed at best and insulting at worst. But I am a hopeless optimist, I believe that if the World Wars ended, then surely we are capable of peace. I hold on to the naive belief that the sheer fact of wanting to engage in peace talks is a testament to hope and our shared humanity. It shows that we have not given up on each other, and that to me is an act of defiance. Agreeing to come out of whatever trench, walking across to no man’s land to dialogue with the opposing party is evidence of not giving up. Evidence of yearning for a peaceful society.
Throughout history, we learn of individuals and groups who fought for peace, and had hope for justice even in the middle of a war. It was clearly displayed during the First World War in 1915 when the Woman’s Peace Party made a surprising proposal for ongoing mediation between the warring parties. They defied conventional wisdom by refusing to equate peace solely with the cessation of conflict or the attainment of victory. Instead, they recognized peace as a seed that must be sown and cultivated even amidst the chaos of war—a beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow. They initiated dialogues amid the gunfire, understanding that true peace requires diligent nurturing, even in the midst of violence.
As Peace Activist Brendan McAllister so eloquently puts it:
“People often talk about peace as if it is something that starts when violence stops. But the two have existed side by side. Peace is born in the midst of violence. (...) It is as if a society is a greenhouse where the tree of violence grows strong and overshadows the greenhouse, denying light to much of the ground. Then, the greenhouse conditions begin to change, just enough for a new tree to grow inside it. In time, the tree of peace grows more powerful than the tree of violence, which no longer thrives and begins to wither where it stands. But when the tree of peace is in its infancy, during its sapling years, it must sprout and reach outward and upward in a climate that is still harsh and more favourable to the tree of violence.”
That said, oftentimes people who resort to violence cannot empathize with others, and are unable to imagine a way forward that does not inflict harm, and as a society, it is important that we confront this deficiency in order to come up with creative and better ways of addressing conflicts.
About the Writer:
Chao Shete is a writer from Nairobi, Kenya. She enjoys writing fiction, creative non-fiction essays and book reviews. When she is not writing, she spends most of her time getting lost between the pages of a good book.
Twitter: hope_shete