Conflict Stereotypes and Peace

Changing the world one life at a time

by Javed Mohammed javed_mohammed@hotmail.com

Many parts of the world are on fire!

There are many causes of Conflict

• Greed, Land, Power • Have, Have-not • Safety, Social Justice, Violence • Beliefs, Values, Stereotypes • Prejudice, Bias, Discrimination • Opposition to government, ideology • Inequality, Threat (or perception of threat) • Superiority, Past history • Cultural hegemony

Us & Them works for a while

Until we realize we have much in common

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“We never get rid of an enemy by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy by

getting rid of enmity.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It’s easy to create stereotypes

But the consequences are far reaching

“First they came for the Jews” Pastor Niemoller

First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up, for I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists, and I did not speak up for I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak up, for I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up for me.

But there is hope

Margaret Mead

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Bob Dylan

Come you masters of war You that build all the guns You that build the death planes You that build the big bombs You that hide behind walls You that hide behind desks I just want you to know I can see through your masks.

If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,

There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

There must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart

. Lao Tzu (570-490 B.C.)

Or what’s on your head

You too can be a super-hero

It is important to provide alternative dreams

I am a Muslim so that makes me