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Political violence is a growing problem in the United States.
As the country becomes more polarized, we are seized with our differences and disagreements. The pandemic exacerbated our disconnection from each other. We are struggling to find common ground.
When popular grievances are strong – for example over inequality, election integrity, or the economy – , a country can be at greater risk for violence. That risk is evident today in rising hate crimes and threats against public officials such as members of Congress, judges, election workers, and school board members.
According to June 2023 polling, 17% of Americans – Democrats and Republicans alike – could justify the use of violence to coerce lawmakers. The number of Americans who support violent protests has doubled over the last decade.
When you add in that forty percent of Americans distrust the government and we have easy access to guns…
…the potential for political violence increases.
When public figures and fast-spreading disinformation promote hatred and division…
…the potential for violence increases even more.
Many American citizens and residents feel angry, fearful, and/or hopeless about the future.
Many want to help our country, but don’t know how.
At Peacebuilders, we believe that peace is possible, and it begins within ourselves and our communities. By working together to strengthen the bonds of respect, love, and trust among us, we can build our resilience against attempts to divide us.
The more we embrace and promote the values of love, nonviolence, and unity across our traditional divides, the greater our chances of curbing political violence in the lead-up to the 2024 elections and beyond.
To help our country, I’m calling on you to be a peacebuilder.
Peacebuilders unite!
Hello friends, I’m glad you found me!
I’ve been passionate about peace since I was young. I didn’t grow up in a peaceful home, so I have spent my life trying to figure out how to build peace around me.
Everywhere I went, people were skeptical. They didn’t believe peace was possible. Even the Director of my graduate school’s Peace Fellowship program would tell us that peace is an illusion. He believed political actors were always preparing for war.
When hatred and political violence surged in the United States in recent years, I gained personal perspective. In the lead-up to the 2020 Presidential election, I spotted the same signs of potential violence in my own country that I had seen abroad. So, despite feeling overwhelmed as a single working mom during the pandemic, I felt a strong urge to do something to mitigate the tensions.
When my own family members in rural Pennsylvania were promoting anti-government violence, I countered by organizing a nonviolent communication training in my hometown to help de-escalate tensions and give people a way to speak about their differences. In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, I wrote an opinion article urging Americans to reach out to each other despite our differences. I then was appointed by the Mayor of Washington D.C. (where I live) to serve as a Commissioner on the quasi-judicial body that hears appeals when a person’s concealed pistol carry license is revoked. Most importantly, I spent countless hours healing the traumas of my own life and finding a deep sense of peace within myself.
That’s when I realized that we all have a critical role to play in building peaceful societies. We can’t wait for other people to do the work for us – including our politicians and political parties. We all have the power to take action – and we must. It doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. We can start by healing ourselves, loving each other better despite our differences, and speaking out against hatred and violence in small ways. We can also serve our communities as neighbors and volunteers in local organizations.
If we all get involved in the personal and local ways, those things will eventually add up to broader social change. It will take a critical mass of Americans doing these things to shift our social norms toward universal love, but I believe we can do it. I hope you believe it too.
Speaking of beliefs, here is my favorite quote from the writings of the Baha’i Faith:
“World peace is not only possible but inevitable. It is the next stage in the evolution of this planet. Whether peace is to be reached only after unimaginable horrors precipitated by humanity’s stubborn clinging to old patterns of behavior, or is to be embraced now by an act of consultative will, is the choice before all who inhabit the earth.”
Peace is possible, friends, but we must take action to bring it to life. Please choose peace, and let’s build a more peaceful society together. Let’s do it for our kids and beyond.
Peacebuilders unite!
With loving kindness for all,
Danielle
I have been a professional peacebuilder for more than two decades. As the word ‘peace’ increasingly appeared on my resume, I learned different peacebuilding approaches.
I specialize in supporting political transitions, having advanced democracy, human rights, and peace around the world as an American diplomat.
I am also a vocal supporter of non-violence, gender equality, and the value of diversity.
Based on my experience, I know that all people can contribute to building peace in our country.
I have been a professional peacebuilder for two decades. As the word ‘peace’ increasingly appeared on my resume, I learned different peacebuilding approaches.
I specialize in supporting political transitions, having advanced democracy, human rights, and peace around the world in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America.
I am also a vocal supporter of non-violence, gender equality, and the value of diversity.
I know that all people can contribute to building peace in our country.
As an American diplomat for two decades, Danielle Reiff advocated for the rights and inclusion of marginalized groups and civil society in peace and governance processes around the world. Here are a few highlights from her work:
During the 2006-2008 Juba peace process for northern Uganda, Danielle supported the Government of Uganda’s peace delegation to organize national consultations on transitional justice. The consultations, which were held in eleven locations nationwide, included distinct opportunities for women, ex-combatants, and children to express their views. In response to popular demand expressed during those consultations, the Government of Uganda agreed to include a truth-telling mechanism in the final peace agreement. Although the Lord’s Resistance Army failed to sign the negotiated agreement, the Government unilaterally established a special court to try war crimes and a transitional justice policy.
In this 2006 photo, Vincent Otti, then Deputy Chief of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), gives Sudan's then Vice President Riek Machar a list of LRA delegates to the peace talks between the LRA and Government of Uganda. (Photo: Matt Brown / AFP-Getty Images)
During the period of instability caused by the Lord’s Resistance Army, the majority of northern Ugandans lived in camps for internally displaced persons while local government structures were disbanded. As security returned to northern Uganda in 2006-2008, local governments needed to be re-established. In this picture, Danielle is monitoring a training of new local government officials on their roles and responsibilities.
