Violence and the Revolution

An interesting conversation turned towards Che Guevara, and the questioned was raised, "How can I support the man when his actions were so marred by violence?" Guevara was a man seemingly dedicated to the restoration of the poor, to the solidarity of humanity, to the propagation of peace. In fact, he once stated that the "true revolutionary is guided by feelings of love." Yet compare his rhetoric to his actions, and a quandary arises for the person sold on the revolution of peace. Guevara's violent means to a peaceful end are of course a contradiction, a hypocrisy for the zealot.

Guevara's endorsement of violence as a proper vehicle to peace must be seen within the context of Guevara's Latin America. With the abuses of capitalism self-evident, and the centuries old subjection of the indigenous peoples, oppression was systemic. Add the Cold War into the mix, and the 'Big Brother' attitude of the United States towards its southernly neighbors at the time, the cultural setting becomes quite explosive. In this sense, it would be wrong to judge the actions of Guevara; his cultural context informed in him in a certain direction. However, this does not vindicate his choice of violent revolution. I believe history does a fine job at exposing the true nature of revolution.

Leo Tolstoy, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus of Nazereth; these were men who were revolutionaries of peace and their legacies are ones of love, beauty, creativity, life. It would be hard to say this is the legacy of Guevara. History vindicates peaceful revolution.

What does any of this have to do with Zimbabwe? Botswana's foreign minister recently went on record saying he feared a military coup or bloody civil war if Zim's current unity talks fell through. Many might welcome a change in leadership, even at the expense of a few lives. But I fear this would be disastrous. 

Just like Guevara's Latin America, Zimbabwe has been in an explosive situation the past several years, but opposition leaders have refrained from violent action. The Shona people are peaceful, capable of enduring much. They must push through the current moments of suffering to reach the peaceful embrace of stability and prosperity. Violence will only breed more blood shed. The foundation of Zimbabwe's future must be built on the peaceful transition of power.

Up, up and away

11.2 million percent. That's Zimbabwe's latest count on its hyper-inflation. It is astronomical, nearly comical because of its absurdity. But the reality of this economic collapse is terrifying. The latest numbers from the World Food Program (WFP) estimates 83% of Zimbabwe's population are living off of less than two US dollars a day. Imagine trying to feed yourself, let alone a family, with just $2. The situation gets even more complicated when you consider the massive shortage of food. The WFP estimates 45% of the total population are malnourished. And with maize (corn) production down another 28% on top of last year's already abysmal numbers, an estimated 4 million people are in danger of needing food assistance this coming year.

The enormity of these numbers is overwhelming, but we must not forget the individual faces of Zimbabwe. Each of these statistics impacts single people like you and me. My father has lost his job; your mother cannot feed your family; our brothers and sisters are going without food. How would we respond if it were the people close to us? ... Perhaps that should be our response to the crisis in Zimbabwe.

Memorandum of Understanding?

Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe, and opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday, 21 July. Pictures were posted in the government run newspaper of Mugabe and Tsvangirai shaking hands after signing this  'historic' agreement'. Both parties, Zanu PF and MDC, have agreed to talk through possible power-sharing solutions, and will focus on reducing violence, easing political tension, and solving the hyperinflationary economy.

Yet in the days following the agreement, 'shock and suspicion' has permeated the streets of Harare according to the UK Times. Was this truly a memorandum of understanding or a ploy of trickery? All over Zimbabwe, citizens have looked on in wonder, skeptical of Mugabe's willingness to enter into talks with the opposition. Reports of a national unity government have raised fears that the past will repeat itself.

In the late 1980s, Joseph Nkomo's Zapu party was assimilated into Zanu PF after a Mugabe-backed pogrom left 20,000 civilians dead. The violence targeted the Ndebele people of western Zimbabwe, most of whom were supporters of their leader Nkomo and his Zapu party. Tsvangirai cannot allow this to happen to his MDC if there is to be a positive change in the current crisis.

Yet despite the past, there is always hope in the future. Perhaps the memorandum is the first stepping-stone in the right direction. Ideally, the talks following the memorandum will constitute a transitory government that will oversee new democratic elections. As long as these elections are free and fair, Zanu PF will be ousted and hope will rise for Zimbabwe.

In the most desperate of times, we must hold onto hope. Sometimes that is all we have. For Zimbabwe, hope is sustaining force of continuance. The people will continue, the country will continue because hope continues. Please consider joining Zimbabweans in their hopeful struggle for peace. Visit eliasfund.org for more info...

'Thank You' from Zimbabwe

Here's a little message from a few of our students in Zim. Please check out the Elias Fund for more info on the organization. And stay current with all things EF through our new official blog. Thanks!

The Crisis Grows (from the Elias Fund Blog)

International concern has percolated media attention of the growing political crisis in Zimbabwe. As a result, people are beginning to comprehend the humanitarian disaster that is Zimbabwe.

Human rights groups are reporting that 114 people have been killed and thousands tortured over the past three months in politically related violence. It is estimated that 200,000 people have been displaced and left homeless in the wake of the most recent surge of oppression. The mounting violence is of course the outcome of what Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, considers political campaigning. His ruling party, Zanu PF, are effectively enacting a reign of terror, which is solidifying the regime's strangle hold on the once peaceful and prosperous nation.

Though the Elias Fund is a small grassroots organization focused on educational development, we highly encourage our friends to remain aware of Zimbabwe's overall situation. Please educate yourself on Zimbabwe's crisis and spread the word to a friend or family member. This humanitarian tragedy cannot go unheard.

Visit our friends at Solidarity Peace Trust for in-depth accounts of human rights abuses occurring in ZIm. *Warning: not for the weak of stomach*