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PEACEMAKERS: Armed with the Mighty Waters of Nonviolence Martin Luther King, Jr. was often asked by journalists why he believed violence and hatred could really, truly, seriously, be overcome with nonviolence. "Because you can’t fight fire with fire," he just as often replied. "You have to fight fire with water." To Dr. King, the waters of nonviolence were made of love, patience, forgiveness, faith, unity, and reasonable compromise. They were the lifewaters of Jesus and Gandhi, the essence of humane reason – and no matter how discouraged he may have felt at times, he never lost faith in these powerful waters. Thirty-one years after King’s death by gunfire, people still battle the blazes of violence with all the waters of nonviolence they can carry. Sometimes their efforts seem futile: so much fire, so little water. At other times, the victory of peacemakers, even if temporary, fills our hearts and some small corner of the world with a reservoir of hope. The members of the panel of Global Citizens Circle’s first Southern Circle – all of whom are members of the Circle’s International Advisory Board – are extraordinary peacemakers armed with the mighty waters of nonviolence. As they, and we, consider the tinderbox of world events and discuss "HOW DO WE CREATE TRUE RECONCILIATION?" we have before us the example of their efforts and often miraculous results as a guide for future action.
John Hume received the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize and was honored with the 1999 Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize on January 18, 1999. He further exemplifies true reconciliation. For 30 years, Hume has been the nonviolent conscience and voice of reason in the bitter "troubles" of Northern Ireland. From his earliest days as a teacher to his ever-evolving political roles – co-founder of the Social Democratic and Labor Party; member of the Irish, British and European Parliaments; and initiator of the Forum for a New Ireland – Hume has made a unique and irrevocable stand for constructive change. At every turn and in every trauma, Hume has drawn strength from his hero, the seminal waterbearer of our century, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Coretta Scott King, who is also receiving Global Citizens Circle’s first Walter J. Dunfey Lifetime Award for Peace and Reconciliation, has devoted her life to the struggle for peace. In establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in the very year of her husband’s death, Mrs. King created a potent vehicle for the continuation of his work. Over the past three decades, the Center – now under the leadership of their son Dexter King – has been a water tower sustaining the global work of reconciliation. Her presence and her voice are a consistent, inspiring force for positive change, and her very being provides part of the answer to the question posed in this discussion.
It has been said that God speaks to us through each other. Throughout his life and work, South African Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu has articulated with special grace the message of nonviolence and reconciliation. Awarded the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize, Archbishop Tutu was born and raised in the fires of apartheid and has spent more than 40 years pouring the essence of his life into a peaceful struggle against it, followed by a compassionate national recovery from it. Because Archbishop Tutu is so highly respected, President Nelson Mandela asked him to chair South Africa’s historic Truth and Reconciliation Hearings. Through sermons, speeches, writings and bold public stands, Archbishop Tutu has personified courage and faith in action; dispensing waters of a healing spirit.
Faith, vision, and the capacity to both work within systems and struggle with dignity against them, have been the watermarks of the life and career of Andrew Young. Since the 1950’s, as one of Dr. King’s chief aides, Young brought his perspective and experience as a minister, businessman and politician to his pivotal roles in the civil rights movement. A vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a three-term Georgia Congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. or Mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young has never hesitated to stand up for what he believes. Today, as president of the National Council of Churches and chairman of the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund, Young continues to further peace, justice and opportunity. "As long as there are leaders of optimism, tenacity, and wisdom, true reconciliation can be created. We do not ask if humankind will continue to burn with violence. We do believe peacemakers, armed with the mighty waters of nonviolence, drop by drop, will finally overcome." Download the full speakers text of "How Do
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