Violence is the problem.
People who believe that violence is the way to solve problems are part of the problem.
People who believe violence is the only way they will get attention are part of the problem.
People who only pay attention when faced with violence are part of the problem.
People who provoke violence are part of the problem.
People who justify violence are part of the problem.
People who minimise violence are part of the problem.
People who don’t care about violence are part of the problem.
People who only care selectively are part of the problem.
People who make the tools of violence are part of the problem.
People who sell the tools of violence are part of the problem.
People who defend unrestrained ownership of the tools of violence are part of the problem.
People who feel the need to own the tools of violence are part of the problem.
People who propagate a culture where owning the tools of violence is a felt need are part of the problem.
People who think that blaming politicians will solve anything are part of the problem.
People who think that blaming anyone will solve anything are part of the problem.
People who flippantly tell other people that they’re part of the problem are part of the problem.
People who believe that any effort to solve the problem is doomed to futility are part of the problem.
The problem will be solved by crossing the dividing lines of fear. Of mistrust. Of profound, entrenched hatred. Of reinforced, natural patterns of thought, and expected consequences.
The people who do this will bear the burden of immense fear, mistrust, hate and shame.
They will be vilified, worst by their own camp — considered sell-outs, seen as conspiring with enemies, and viewed with suspicion by all sides.
But they will also be loved, for love is how they will choose to live. It will be the reality that shines out of their lives, as they forge new hope, richer understanding — a fresh re-awakening.
And that love will quite possibly turn them into martyrs.
