Shared Progress
As the "makers and carriers of fresh meaning" (Joy Harjo, U.S. Poet Laureate), we know this time is historic and not without turbulence in an ever-evolving terrain as we navigate towards collective memory and language which honors "all parts of the story." Sun Literary is committed to the luminous belief that shared progress is possible and that shared stories pave the way.
"We gave thanks for the story, for all parts of the story because it was by the light of those challenges we knew ourselves — We asked for forgiveness. We laid down our burdens next to each other." - Joy Harjo, Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings: Poems
For shared dialogue: Sun Literary recommends On Being Project's Grounding Virtues and Civil Conversations.
Returning National Parks to the First Nations
Recognize whose lands these are on which we stand ...
You will have to answer to your children, and their children, and theirs—
The red shimmer of remembering will compel you up the night to walk the perimeter of truth for understanding.
As I brushed my hair over the hotel sink to get ready I heard:
By listening we will understand who we are in this holy realm of words.
Do not parade, pleased with yourself.
You must speak in the language of justice.
- Joy Harjo, Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings: Poems
Sun Literary recommends "Return the National Parks to the Tribes" by David Treuer and This Land podcast by Rebecca Nagle.
In Support of Peace | October 2023
"Still, we move forward with our tearful prayers and redouble our efforts to act with kindness, charity, and hope." - Judy Gruen
Sun Literary recognizes much suffering and complexity exists in thousands of years of history and ancestral homeland. We encourage centering empathy, the voices of those directly affected, and civil conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some context is straightforward: Terrorism is never justifiable. We grieve for the children, women, elders, and all those who have suffered. Alongside the 2,000 Palestinian and Israeli women who marched together in Jerusalem for peace, we hold muscular hope for the people of Israel and Palestine and lend support to Women Wage Peace, a grassroots peace movement and nonprofit established in 2014 of Jewish and Arab mothers promoting non-violent solutions.
Sun Literary recommends the following illustrated books for framing this discussion in empathy with your children:
Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom, Salaam, beautiful retelling of the folktale “Two Brothers,” between two friends and neighbors, one Jewish and one Muslim. An important story of friendship that celebrates both our differences and what we have in common.
Neve Shalom / Wahat Al-Salam: Oasis of Peace, this cooperative village outside of Jerusalem brings Jews and Arabs together in the hopes that by raising their children together, they will create and model a peaceful co-existence.
