Heroic Characteristics / Guidelines
Compiled by
Milt Hetrick
Director, Conflict Management
Support
February 2004
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.. 1
IDENTIFYING
HEROIC CHARACTERISTICS (preliminary – examples) 2
GENERAL
HEROIC CHARCTERISTICS.. 4
Develop a Strong Character
and Formulate Beliefs.. 4
Develop Personal Power /
Build Respect through example – by deeds.. 5
Advocate Human Rights.. 7
Promote Nonviolence. 8
Support Justice / Confront
Injustice. 8
Advocate Freedom and
Democracy.. 9
Lead / Teach / Interact –
become involved.. 10
Manage Conflict / Build a
Peaceful World (Build
Relationships/Solve Problems) 11
Build Relationships (with
others / among others) / Third Party – advisor, mediator, and negotiator. 11
Solve Problems. 12
CONCLUSIONS
(PRELIMINARY) 14
RECOMMENDATIONS.. 14
This set of guidelines can be
used to identify people who have lived or are living as Peacemakers. As Peacemakers, we consider them to be positive
Role Models / Heroes. What sets our Heroes
apart from others is that they have been or are still involved in one or more
of the following endeavors:
a)
resolving,
mediating, negotiating conflicts for a constructive solution – i.e.
practicing nonviolent conflict management skills; ADR; not win-lose
adjudication
b)
teaching,
lecturing, or otherwise exemplifying nonviolent skills;
c)
Practicing,
modeling nonviolent skills in their personal lives.
Generally we consider a
conflict to be managed successfully when a dispute is prevented from escalating
into physical violence. One would actually
prefer to see disputes / differences managed without other forms of violence as
well (e.g. verbal, emotional or financial violence). One would prefer to see disputes settled with
a “win-win” outcome.
Ideally we are particularly
interested in identifying people who have not only managed a conflict situation
nonviolently and arrived at a win-win solution, but also demonstrated skills in
turning a conflict situation into a learning / growth experience for all
parties involved – i.e. constructive conflict management. Ideally, people can emerge from a conflict
situation with a deeper understanding of and respect for each other – i.e. a
better relationship. When we are able
to consistently channel the energy associated with a conflict into creating a
constructive experience, we will then be motivated to actually seek out conflicts,
seek out those who are different, truly respect and admire diversity &
freedom of thought. Only then will the
Democratic / Freedom experiment be complete.
Unfortunately we are not very
good at identifying the early stages of conflict – and as a result human
disagreements are often allowed to escalate to a point when physical violent
erupts. We must remember that “conflict is inevitable, violence is not.” Unfortunately, history brings to the
present ongoing conflicts – some so old that their origin has been lost and forgotten. We must learn to manage these ongoing
conflicts as well.
We know that confusion,
distortion, exaggeration, obscuration, disrespect, and fabrication of fiction
impede the conflict management process, so we are looking for people who help
clarify, who help simplify, and who search for truth.
By examining the lives of
true heroes, of people who have successfully applied nonviolent conflict
management skills in their daily lives, we hope to find characteristics that
are common among peacemakers. We can
then begin to value these human attributes and relational skills more highly. Although the society within which this is
being written is constitutionally bound to respect freedom of thought and
speech, the forces of oppression are relentless. Currently this society places a great deal of
value on those who provide distraction from real life and from truth. We elevate those who “perform” and provide
“comic relief”, “fantasy relief”, or an “adrenaline rush.” We tend to ignore those who quietly seek to
truthfully inform, educate, and help us mature.
We may undervalue those who help us become more conscious, integrated,
and empathetic – as a result our maturation, our evolution as a society is
impeded if not stalled.
The good news is that there are
many positive examples; there are many heralded and unheralded heroes who have
devoted their lives to nonviolent conflict management. We would like to identify these true heroes,
honor them, and then use them as role models for ourselves and our youth. We know these heroes can be found through
the world and come in different physical appearances and from diverse cultural
backgrounds. That in itself is
encouraging because it demonstrates that are already many nonviolent paths from
many beginnings.
The following characteristic
of a true hero are being derived empirically – i.e. by examining the thoughts,
words, and deeds of successful peacemakers and determining what they have in
common. We are also interested in how
they differ.
By listing key
characteristics of heroes, we may be able to see some commonality. Let’s start with acknowledged heroes: Mahatma Gandhi and two Nobel
Peace Prize winners. We have selected
the 1960 winner, Albert Lutuli, and the 1991
winner, Aung San Suu Kyi , for
illustration purposes.
We compiled some “raw bibliographic
data” on our heroes. Note: The following information was obtained from
a single source and has not been verified or collaborated by other
biographers. .
Nevertheless, this
information should serve to demonstrate our approach.
The process
of “characterizing a hero“ is simple.
Step 1. Obtain a
story of the hero’s life.
For example see: http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates
Step 2. Put the information into an electronic form
so that you can utilize the efficiency of a “word processor.” Information found on the internet can be
easily copied and pasted into a word processor. A word processor is also a “concept / idea
processor.”
For example see the story of Aung San Suu Kyi::
Step 3. Given a
story about a hero, identify information that describes the hero’s thoughts,
words, and deeds. Delete extraneous
information from the story. Move information around, leaving only the key items.
By
using a word processor, one can use the “cut and paste” / “move” / “delete”
features of the tool and easily condense the information.
Like panning for gold,
nuggets will emerge that can then be easily rearranged, sorted, and placed into
a simple form that is more easily comprehended than the original prose.
For example see: Aung San Suu Kyi Heroic
Characterisitics
Step 4.
Combine your hero’s
characteristics with those of other heroes and observe the commonality and
differences. See the consolidated heroic values below.
Step 5. Send /
E-mail your results to us (info@CMSupport.org) so we can publish your findings on the collaborative web site.
GENERAL HEROIC CHARCTERISTICS
From observations, we have
found that a Hero will:
v
adhere
to basic principles including:
o
democracy(SK),
o
respect
for human rights(SK),
o
reconciliation
between groups(SK),
o
non-violence
(SK), and
o
personal
and collective discipline. (SK)
v
possess
a combination of sober realism and visionary idealism (SK)
v
acknowledge
sources of inspiration:
o
e.g. Mahatma Gandhi, etc. (SK)
o
e.g.
Tolstoy and Ruskin in leading a simple community life. (MG)
o
e.g.
Raj Chandra, the Jain philosopher and intellectual. (MG)
o
e.g.
specific literature/art.
§
a
play where King Harishchandra seeks, suffers for, but finally triumph in, his
adherence to Truth. (MG)
v
observe
the teachings of world religion
o
honor
truth, righteousness and loving kindness
o
observe
the teachings of Buddhism (SK)
o
mold
life and work by the influence of Christianity(AL)
o
observe
the teachings of Hinduism (MG)
o
believe
in the brotherhood of peoples (AL)
o
believe
the highest religion is the love of one another (MG).
o
believe
in loving all equally. (MG).
v
believe
history and cultural background are important (SK)
o
“you
choose who you are by choosing which tradition you belong to” (SK)
o
mold
life and work by the pattern of the African tribal community(AL)
o
know
& respect one’s heritage and ancestry
§
e.g.
respect for a father who had been Prime Minister successively in three
Kathiawar States - known for his steadfastness and loyalty (MG).
§
e.g.
respect for a mother who was a traditional Indian woman, devoted to her home
and family, deeply religious and austere (MG).
§
e.g.
respect for a father who was a general in an army to liberate his people (SK)
§
e.g.
attachment to eldest brother who helped educate him and send him to England
for legal studies (MG).
§
e.g.
respect for one’s teachers (MG),
v
believe
in a community where different cultures live in harmony, work together, and share
equally opportunities
o
e.g.
where the white and the nonwhite in South Africa
can live in harmony and work for a common fatherland (AL)
o
e.g.
where the white and the nonwhite in South Africa
share equally the good things of life which a country can give (AL)
v
know
that a better world demands even greater vigilance, greater fearlessness (SK)
v
strive
to develop in one’s self a "profound simplicity"
o
e.g.
live as a vegetarian (MG)
o
e.g.
believe outward trappings mean little, live accordingly, and question the Princes
about their love of finery. (MG)
o
e.g.
vow to lead a caste and simple life - explored
meat-eating and imitating English dress and manners, but soon returned to
simplicity (MG).
o
e.g.
believe material progress is of little worth without morality (MG).
o
e.g.
use a bicycle for transportation and travel mostly by third class on the
railways (MG)
o
e.g.
believe not in palaces and mansions; be willing to live among the hovels of the
lowliest and the lost (MG).
o
e.g.
show humility (SK)
o
e.g.
want no statues, no memorials to commemorate life (MG).
v
believe
“it is not power per se that corrupts, but power when driven by fear” (SK)
v
believe
"the quintessential revolution is that of the spirit" (SK)
v
understand
the "essential spiritual aims" of the struggle for peace.
o
believe
the success of the struggle depends solely on human responsibility(SK).
§
At
the root of that responsibility lays:
·
the
concept of perfection (SK),
·
the
urge to achieve it (SK),
·
the
intelligence to find a path towards it (SK), and
·
the
will to follow that path if not to the end, at least the distance needed to
rise above individual limitation... ". (SK)
§
unite
deep commitment and tenacity (SK)
o
believe
that "To live the full life, one must have the courage to bear the
responsibility of the needs of others." (SK)
o
believe
that each person has within the potential to realize the truth through their own
will and endeavor." (SK)
o
believe
that each person can help others to realize the truth." (SK)
o
believe
"The quest for democracy is the struggle of a people to live whole,
meaningful lives as free and equal members of the world community.” (SK).
o
believe
that the unceasing human endeavor is to prove that the spirit of humankind can
transcend the flaws of one’s nature." (SK)
v
convey
confidence and faith in the power of good. (SK)
o
maintain
high ethical standards (AL)
o
show
high ideals that bring out the best in others (SK)
o
set
examples and symbolize what others seek (SK)
o
stand
for a positive hope (SK)
o
have
a spark of divinity that distinguished one from others (MG).
o
strive
to be the embodiment of godliness and the wisdom of the Saint Kasturba as the
incarnation of wifely virtue (MG).
o
be
known as the world's gentlest, kindliest leader whose sanction was only love
(MG).
o
provide
an uplifting, elevating benevolent presence (MG).
o
maintain
remarkable patience and boundless moral
strength in the struggle (AL)
o
mobilize
the best in others (SK)
o
rise
to full stature as a humanist, above all politics and creeds (MG).
v
possess
a universal mind that transcends narrow barriers of race, creed and country
(MG),
o
belong
to no single nation
§
avoid
confining labels
·
e.g.
India
called him the Father of the Nation (MG),
§
maintain
kindness for the minority
·
e.g.
maintain kindness for the Muslim minority, part of his broad humanity, even
though that aroused fanatical Hindu hatred (MG).
o
stand
for all humankind and all that is noble in the human spirit (MG).
o
"Let
the winds of all cultures blow around me" (MG)
v
maintain
a firm and unswerving approach
o
maintain
one’s avowed policy (AL)
o
maintain
a sense of social responsibility (SK)
o
become
a prisoner of conscience (SK)
v
be
courageous
o
display
fearlessness (SK)
o
be willing
to confront danger (SK)
o
display
impressive courage and commitment (SK)
v
shed
the fear of death
o
defy
all vigilance to protect self (MG).
§
e.g.
defy the soldiers who have raised rifles (SK)
§
e.g.
forgive a would-be-assassin who exploded a bomb at an evening prayer session
(10 days before his assassination January 30 1948: The light that led India for decades was extinguished
(MG),
o
use
no security measures around and on the prayer ground (MG).
v
remain
humble
o
claim
to be no more than the least among them, made of the same flesh and blood (MG).
o
royalty
is not required (MG).
o
show
humility (SK)
v
be
willing to suffer without hatred and aggression
o
take
the lead and be willing to suffer
§
e.g.:
the Road to Freedom is via the Cross, (AL)
§
e.g.
Gandhi under-took numerous 21-day fasts to draw attention away from Hindu-Muslim
tension and other disputes and have parties focus on peace (MG)
§
e.g.
Gandhi observed the ruler of Rajkot commit a breach of
his promise of constitutional reforms to the people. After fruitless
negotiation, Gandhi resorted to fasting, breaking it only when, aware of
country-wide emotion, the Viceroy intervened, to ask the Chief Justice of India
to adjudicate (MG).
o
maintain
willingness to be detained, imprisoned, or placed under house arrest for years (AL)
(SK) (MG)
§
e.g.
endure arrest for seditious writings, trial, and sentencing to six years in
prison (MG),
o
suffer
without bitterness and without allowing hatred and aggression to replace one’s abiding
love of his fellowmen (AL)
§
e.g.
be able to witness unprecedented violence (where hundreds may die) (MG).
o
elicit
feelings in others when treated unjustly (SK)
v
be
constantly educating oneself and others
o
continue
self educating (SK)
o
train
as a teacher, faculty member of a college (AL)
o
met
with many groups of intellectuals, social workers and students (MG).
§
e.g.
undertake pilgrimages throughout India (MG).
o
be
willing to discuss all issues (social, political, religious) in the context of
nonviolence with everyone – including various leaders
§
e.g.
discus India with the
"Red Dean" of Canterbury,
Dr. Hewlett Johnson (MG)
§
e.g.
broadcast to the refugees from All India Radio Station in Delhi (MG).
§
e.g.
attend Asian Relations Conference (MG)
§
e.g.
reminded representatives of Asia about their
recent history (Atom Bomb) and their heritage - cradle of religions - great
teachers who showed the path of wisdom (MG).
§
e.g.
Gandhi once considered multiplication of hospitals as an evil symptom of modern
civilization – but came to realize that diseases had to be dealt with and subsequently
gladly laid the foundation stone of a new hospital at Allahabad (MG).
v
recognize
the importance of human rights (SK)
o
maintain
a conviction that a fundamental prerequisite for peace is the recognition of
the right of all people to life and to respect (SK)
o
recognize
that human rights are not just a Western or Eastern idea, but common to all major
cultures (SK)
o
believe
in respect for the value of the individual (AL)
o
know
that just laws uphold human rights and are necessary foundations of peace (SK)
v
promote
human rights