The University of Venice – Education and Dialogue is Empowerment


By Rev. Thomas Ziegert

First a short story: Several months ago I attended a meeting called by members of the community to engage the police who had placed a mobile substation adjacent to the community center. Rather than being protected by the police these citizens felt more intimidated, harassed, and violated.

This meeting was called to come to an understanding of how to do two things, protect the citizenry while showing respect for the community. Neither outcome appeared to result.

In planning the meeting the police commander set the time for the meeting. Then the police showed up more than half an hour late. Rather than conduct business and strategize to achieve our goals we sat. As each minute ticked by we gave up more and more of our organized and corporate power. The meeting would not begin until the police arrived. Why?

We gave them back the power we had worked to attain. By the time they arrived they had full control of the meeting and mostly let us speak, then told us what they had already decided to do. Meeting over. At the end, no respect was achieved by either group.

I was moved by our lack of understanding about how to wield grassroots power once we the people have it. Upon reflection, we could have done just three things differently and accomplished what we were there to do. But that discussion is not the substance of this article.

Instead, I want to make a proposal with bigger ramifications. A while back Jim Smith and a few other Peace and Freedom members began a fledgling University of Venice—the idea arising from a T-Shirt with that moniker on it. The idea was to bring to the community forums of interest without cost.

I think we, the community, could expand on that idea. We could create and participate in seminars for community empowerment and education in conflict mediation & transformation, get regular updates from the U.S. Representative’s Office (Jane Harman), City Councilwoman’s Office (Cindy Miscikowski), and State Senator’s Office (Debra Bowen) and discuss the issues and take action.

We could create seminars on financial planning and development, and community and family relations. We could learn how to create a community of peace based on justice. We could bring about forums for our discernment on many issues that concern us and find like- minded people with whom we could build coalitions.

Here at Venice United Methodist Church through our Peace with Justice Center we have a little space and a little money that could support such an endeavor. Plus there are other spaces around the community that could support gatherings, seminars, forums, and symposiums.

All that is needed at the moment is your input. What do you have passion about or problems with? What questions do you need answers to? How do you like to learn? What would you forgo an evening at home to learn more about? Later we will need input on organizational and logistical options.

You are invited to participate in our first open forum on this concept by writing to this paper or e-mailing it at beachhead@freevenice.org or to me at the Venice Peace with Justice Center VenicePJC@aol.com with your thoughts.

Posted: Wed - December 1, 2004 at 08:57 AM          

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