From Suffering to Solidarity

As experiences of suffering continue to influence the responses of identity groups in the midst of violent conflict, a way to harness their narratives, stories, memories, and myths in transformative and nonviolent ways is needed. From Suffering to Solidarity explores the historical seeds of Mennonite peacebuilding approaches and their application in violent conflicts around the world. The authors in this book first draw out the experiences of Anabaptists and Mennonites from the sixteenth-century origins through to the present that have shaped their approaches to conflict transformation and inspired new generations of Mennonites to engage in relief, development, and peacebuilding to alleviate the suffering of others whose experiences today reflect those of their ancestors. Authors then explore the various peacebuilding approaches, methods, and initiatives that have emerged from this Mennonite narrative and its preservation and dissemination in subsequent generations. Finally, the book examines how this combined historical sensitivity and resulting peacebuilding theory and practice have been applied in violent conflicts around the world, noting both successes and challenges. Ultimately, From Suffering to Solidarity attempts to answer a question: How can a robust historical infrastructure be used to inspire empathetic solidarity with the Other and shape nonviolent ways of transforming conflict to thrust a stick in the spokes of the cycle of violence? ""Oppression, injustice, suffering, violence are everywhere. So are rays of hope that these plagues may be alleviated, even some day brought to an end. Among those who have been in the forefront of nourishing these hopes throughout our sad world, are the Mennonites. In my own much too limited experience in trying to confront these tragedies, I have repeatedly found that Mennonite activists and missions are there on the ground, living and working in solidarity with the victims, supporting and protecting them, showing by their own lives and activism the power of nonviolence, empathy, dedication, moral integrity. Their work is an inspiring demonstration of what we can achieve if we can find the strength and the courage to commit ourselves to the kinds of efforts that the Mennonites have shown to us in such an exemplary way. Andrew Klager's fine collection on the Mennonite way of proceeding 'from suffering to solidarity' provides a most enlightening and instructive guide to these impressive contributions, and what we can learn from them."" --Noam Chomsky, Institute Professor & Professor of Linguistics (Emeritus) Linguistic Theory, Syntax, Semantics, Philosophy of Language, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ""This unique, compelling, and richly textured volume derives its vitality from a powerful question: How has the Mennonite historical context shaped contemporary Mennonite peace work? Together, Klager and his varied team of contributors trace the arc of the Mennonite story from shared suffering to empathetic solidarity with others, and offer inspiring examples of how a particular experience of oppression and violence can be transformed through conviction, love of enemies, a spirited work ethic, and moral as well as narrative imagination. The result is a nuanced appreciation of Mennonite peacebuilding at its best, and in its many different forms. Highly recommended."" --Nathan Funk, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo ""While Mennonites--one of the historic peace churches--have wrestled with processing painful collective memories, they are on a journey of pursuing peace with justice as they engage those suffering around them. From Suffering to Solidarity traces many steps and stories of peacemaking in this tradition. The interdisciplinary collection of articles is written by a diverse group of North