Des Moines Celebrates International Day of Peace Sept. 21, 2022

 By Christine Sheller

“End Racism. Build Peace.”  That was the theme set by the U.N. for this year’s International Day of Peace, celebrated around the world.  The International Day of Peace was started by the U.N. in 1981, as those in attendance in Des Moines Wednesday evening were reminded by the speaker, Dr. Kesho Scott.

Approximately 50 persons gathered at the Cowles Commons’ Peace Garden for the event that was planned by the Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace. 

The Heartland Youth Choir Chamber Choir provided gathering music, singing “The Storm is Passing Over,” by Charles Albert Tindley, arranged by Barbara W. Baker.  Sarai Rice welcomed attendees to the event, and Russ Melby led the Call to Gather, written by Thich Nhat Hanh.  The ending words of the Call to Gather were:  “With humility, with awareness of the existence of the suffering going on around us, let us pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth.”

Nancy Anderson introduced the featured speaker, Dr. Kesho Scott, who is Associate Professor of American Studies and Sociology at Grinnell College.  Dr. Scott included several opportunities for attendees to get out of their seat or participate in hand motions to coincide with thought reflections.  Scott asked how many people knew the International Day of Peace was started by the UN in 1981.  Several people raised their hands.  She later had attendees stand up and jog in place, faster and faster, to reflect on the disadvantage colored persons have to accomplish the same accomplishments of white persons.  She also shared some stories about living in Detroit, then in Grinnell with her kids when they were growing up.  She experienced/ observed police discrimination in inner city Detroit.  Then when she moved to Grinnell to teach at Grinnell College, she experienced the police being very friendly and getting to know her family.  At first she wondered what they wanted, but then she realized they just operated differently than the inner city police.  She did share a story of racism by police in Grinnell, however.  In sum, she spoke of racism needing to be eradicated, for there to be peace, coinciding with the theme of the night, “End Racism.  Build Peace.”

Next, the Heartland Youth Choir Chamber Choir sang “Inscription of Hope,” by Z. Randall Hope. 

 A Litany of Wisdom was led by Kathleen McQuillen.  This litany was created by using the peace quotes etched in stone around the Peace Garden.  For example, the attendees were led with lines such as, “John Lennon, founder of the Beatles, captures our deep human longing for peace. Beautiful peace.”  The attendees then said, “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.”

An offering was then taken, led by Steve Bolie.  A Blessing was given by Jacqueline Thompson, then the Heartland Youth Choir Chamber Choir sang “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” arranged by John Rutter for closing.

A quote by U.N. General Secretary Antonio Guterres was printed in the program:  “Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society.  It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality.  And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights.  It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”

There were 52 cosponsors which included organizations and churches.  Iowa Peace Network was among them.

Christine Sheller is coordinator and editor at Iowa Peace Network.  She is an M. Div. graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary, and is based both in Des Moines, and remotely in Eldora, Iowa.