Conflict isn't necessarily a bad thing, even if we try our hardest to avoid it. We're told to think positive, and not be negative. This means not creating conflict, and not getting into conflicts. But what happens when someone is wrong, or if we're wrong? Should be avoid arguing to get to a common understanding of something simply because it's viewed as engaging in a conflict? Does the truth not matter?
With all the conflict in the world both in the present and in the past of human history, it can be easy to draw a conclusion that this will be how things continue into the future. Will we ever have peace? Does having peace or trying to achieve peace mean there can be no conflict? For some, peace means there is no conflict. But what about truth, responsibility and justice mattering more?
If we're looking to get justice and freedom in the world, then there will be conflict because there are some who don't want this to happen. According to Ian Spears of the University of Guelph, conflict is necessary to achieve justice. We have to decide what matters more: peace or justice. When trying to get justice, there is going to be conflict. When trying to get more freedom, there is going to be conflict. If someone views peace as the absence of conflict, then forget about fighting for justice or freedom.
When the focus is on peace, it ignored the drive for justice. To set things right and apply consequences to wrong-doings and wrong-doers. To make things fair when things are unfair, you can't simply have "peace" as the absence of fighting. An equitable society requires justice to bring freedom and real peace to fruition. Managing conflicts is required in order to bring justice before peace can truly be achieved.
Putting peace above injustice seems to preserve the status quo of those in power as conflict of the inequities and injustices are not dealt with. This means the conflict will always be there, but unaddressed. Peace comes after justice is achieved. Otherwise the situation remains unstable at the root level despite the nice fluffy sunshine and rainbow appearances.
The stability of a peace must rest on justice being achieved for the conflict to end. Justice requires things to change, and that pressure to change will have tension, resistance, instability and conflict in order to get to the peace being desired.
There isn't only physical conflict, but also verbal and written conflicts to being about change that ensures justice and truth prevail. When we argue with people about something that needs to change, that's a conflict. There is a misalignment and disharmony between people, but can be resolved.
Championing for a cause involves the conflict of arguments. That's how we can influence other and get them to change. Without that conflict, there is no possibility of change. The desire to "keep the peace" by avoiding conflict will not bring about change, but just keep things as they are and force everyone to "get along".
There is too much fear of negative situations, too much focus on "positivity" that people hide behind like a mask in order to avoid conflicts. Problems are being ignored because it easier to ignore it, deny it or dismiss it in favor of being non-conflicting and appearing "peaceful". Contentious topics are being condemned and targeted for censorship as "fake news".
If conflicts are to be resolved, then discussion are argumentation needs to take place where information is shared. When people do things that affect others, everyone needs to address what happened and try to come to a resolution by recognizing what has happened, not ignoring it. Ignoring, denying or dismissing the problems around us won't bring justice to our lives or the world.
Sure, sometimes someone or a group can feel wronged when nothing was done to them. Or sometimes others can deny how they actions affected others. But that doesn't mean a mutual sharing of information can't take place to argue the points and come to a resolution. If that is not even done, if that stage of conflict is not even engaged in, then there is little chance of a resolution or justice ever being achieved. And then forget about real peace.
Arguing can be healthy if people care about finding the truth of the matter, not simply defending their attachments. If truth is the goal, then everyone can come to understand what is true and finally align and be on the same page to move forward. But that takes time, energy, effort, dedication, determination and persistence to go through so much information. Yet, it's possible to do. And when it's done, we can cooperate together better than before.
Thank you for your time and attention. Peace.
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