12a. Introduction
I struggled to find the right song for this final module. I wanted something 21st century that was both critical and inspiring. Perhaps you know the Black Eyed Peas, an American group whose first major hit was “Where is the Love?” Watch and listen to it.
I think the message in this song is mostly about racism, but also about how to overcome divisions between people more generally – perhaps the root of all conflicts. What do you think is the meaning of the question mark that serves as a symbol in the actions portrayed in the music video?
Black Eyed Peas. (2009, June 16). The Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc
If you could have chosen a ‘peace song’ for this course, what would it be?
This is the last module of the course! By now you have had a glimpse of some significant peace movements in history. You should be able to analyze these particular peace movements according to their aims/goals, methods/tactics, ideology/philosophy, and whether symbols are used.
There are many peace movements, past and present, which we have not examined in this course. I am sure you can identify gaps. Movements that were not addressed directly include peace responses to conflicts such as: the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East; Apartheid in South Africa; religious conflict in Northern Ireland; human rights violations of LGBTQ+ individuals; racial conflict in U.S. and Canada; conflict between Indigenous peoples and the state in Canada and elsewhere. I’m sure you can think of others. Perhaps you chose to research and write your essay about a peace movement response to a conflict that wasn’t addressed in the course at all. I look forward to learning from you through your essay!
Before we get to some concluding ideas, I want to introduce you to two peace movement responses to perhaps the most significant global conflict of the early 21st century. These responses represent an organizational and a mass activism response.