The Year In Review — Peace Vigil

Dec 3

Dec 3 The Year In Review

Greetings of peace! As 2020 moves towards its inevitable ending, it is natural to take a look back and remember what we’ve all been through over the past twelve months.

While each of our stories is unique, the broad outline of the 2020 story is similar for most of us. Regardless of your race, class or gender, chances are that you spent far more time than usual within the walls of your home. Some people lost their loved ones. Many people lost their jobs. All of us were touched by a new virus that affected the world in ways that still continue to surprise scientists.

At Peace Vigil, we saw 2020 as an opportunity to expand our online work. Beginning with thinking through the question “What does COVID mean for peace?” we started a webinar series that ultimately proved too popular to stop. We quickly found that it would be a mistake to replicate things like speaking panels in the online world, and opted instead to continue our preference towards long-form interviews and presentations. The latest was also one of our most popular, a discussion of communalism with Professor Harbans Mukhia.

As you’ll see from the list below, we’ve been busy over the past year. In addition to the stories, interviews, and songs listed below, we started discussion groups and study circles for those members who want to dig deeper into prejudice and how to overcome it. We also spent hours connecting with other people working on peace issues in many parts of the world.

And our plans for 2021 are even bigger. When lockdown restrictions ease, we plan to get back into the communities who may benefit from our workshops and peace education efforts. Specifically, we have a number of invitations from groups in the USA to facilitate trainings on casteism and Islamophobia.

In order to do that work, we need your support. Please consider making a year-end contribution. Last year a number of you were able to contribute at the $1,000 level, which really goes a long way towards making this work sustainable. But every contribution helps. If you've enjoyed our work and want to continue to spread peace in the world, please consider supporting us at Paypal today. The work of peace education is more important than ever in a world in crisis. Crisis is a breeding ground for division; peace education is our chance to create unity instead.

Though many of our 2020 stories are sad ones, the year offers an opportunity. Never before has the entire world community reacted in real time to a threat. That understanding - that we are all human and all vulnerable to disease and all able to make sacrifices if necessary - may bring a better 2021 than any of us can imagine. Please help us by contributing. Peace Needs All of Us.

Yours in peace,
Sameer and Shirin

P.S. For the full list of our online work (minus the study circles, meetings and workshops), please see below.