Sisters Watch TED-talk on Non-violence

Written on: February 1, 2019

Three lessons of revolutionary love may sound a bit over the top for a group of nuns, but in a powerful TED talk by Valarie Kaur, some Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart learned about the strength of love stretched to the limits to include even the worst enemy and become able to forgive even the most grievous crime.  At Lafayette Redeemer, on January 16^th, Sisters Diane Bardol and Eileen White facilitated a viewing and discussion of Kaur’s TED talk, entitled “Revolutionary Love,” reflecting on our own experiences of discriminating or being discriminated against on the basis of color, religious or political beliefs, sex, or whatever basis.  The Grey Nun Communication Committee initiated this activity, as one way of witnessing to gospel values and responding to the LCWR’s reaffirmed commitment to “…purging ourselves, our communities, and our country of the sin of racism and its destructive effects.”  

What are the three lessons Valarie Kaur, a Sikh social activist and lawyer, learned in the course of her life and experiences of religious bigotry and hatred?

* First, see no stranger. Say in your mind when you encounter someone you do not know, “You are a part of me I do not yet know.  I choose to wonder about you.”

* Second, love our opponents by tending the wound in those who hurt us.

* Third, breathe together in order to push against the darkness of hate and violence.  Support one another in holding onto joy because, she says, “In joy we see even darkness with new eyes.” 

Those who came to the presentation found resonance in their own lives, and highly recommend this TED talk!   If you would like to watch the talk, follow this link (or search Google with: YouTube; Ted Talks; Valerie Kaur; 3 Lessons of Revolutionary Love)

This entry was posted in With a Heart for Justice and tagged: breathe, discrimination, encounter, Gospel Values, Lessons of Revolutionary Love, love, push, racism, Revolutionary Love, TED talks, witness