“If we are not our brother’s keeper, at least let us not be his executioner.”

–Marlon Brando

I am befuddled and saddened by how cavalier we treat the news of hundreds/thousands of humans being killed by other humans. We’ve gone from making threats to physically harm one another to, what the hell, just kill the SOB. We humans have weaponized every part of our anatomy. For example, the gun is an extension of the fist; the deadly missiles and drones are extensions of our ability to throw rocks at each other; and our radar systems are extensions of our eyes to watch and keep track of our enemies. Our enemies can be of recent vintage or inherited. Sometimes, often, we have forgotten what we’re fighting about. Most often, we fight over who is going to control what and who. The desire to control one another has become psychopathic. While the world is ablaze, we sit waiting for some enlightened leader to reverse this trend. While the conflict in the Middle East dominates the headlines, I keep thinking about how we slipped into WWIII without knowing it.

Currently, according to Our Rule of Law in Armed Conflict Online Portal (RULAC0), there are more than 110 armed conflicts ablaze on our planet. RULACO points out that “Some of these conflicts make headlines, others do not. Some of them started recently, while others have lasted more than 50 years.” More specifically, there are 45 -armed conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa; there are 36-armed conflicts in Africa; in Asia 21 armed conflicts are simmering; there are 7-armed conflicts ravaging Europe and in Latin America, there are at present 6-armed conflicts. Overall, the resulting human toll in body counts is staggering. Most disheartening is the fact that non-combatants have become fair game in these conflicts. Genocide has become the watch word.

What has become of finding resolution through dialogue? What are we fighting about? Is this instinct to kill each other genetic? Are we programmed this way to control population growth? Or is our murderous proclivity just a part of human nature? Whatever the reasons for our treatment of each other, we must “get a grip” on this tendency to wantonly kill each other. Those innocent civilians killed are more than collateral damage—they were someone’s mother, father, son, or daughter. Entire generations of one family are instantly obliterated. In other words, behind the cold recitation of casualties are real people with real lives and real families.

For the record, I have concluded that I am anti-war—though, not a pacifist. War and armed conflict should be the absolute last option to resolve our inevitable disagreements. The nagging question is “What does a solitary individual do to promote more peaceful and harmonious relationships with each other. In my estimation, we can do the following:

1. Respect the sanctity of life for all sentient life forms—humans, animals, and nature.

2. Understand that each person’s lived experiences will have a direct impact on their behaviors. Just because they behave differently does not imply that they’re inferior or dangerous to our survival.

3. Use your own mind—not ideology—to figure out what you support or question. Don’t get caught up in the okey-doke. Make sure what’s coming out of your mouth is what you believe, not simply parroting some glittering generalities from a so-called leader.

4. Speak out against the oligarchs and power addicts pushing their own agenda at the expense of the common good.

5. Recognize and value the Diversity that is unique to America. While the Constitution posits that we are all born equal, the reality is that we are really “all born equally different.”

6. Don’t allow gender, ethnic and/or so-called racial biases to cloud our objectivity.

7. Role model openness, civility and forgiveness for our children.

In closing, while the Most High has given human beings dominion over the Earth, we also have dominion over our emotions and reactions. Don’t be a subject acted upon. Rather be an active verb that alters the subject –be it war, armed conflict, or personal misunderstandings.

About The Author

After enjoying a rewarding career in non-profits and local politics, Kwame S. Salter spent 22 years with Kraft Foods, where he rose to become Senior Vice President of Human Resources. He attributes his success to a strong work ethic, a commitment to excellence and to the employees he served, and unwavering candor.

To learn more about Kwame Salter, click here.

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