Something New

Something Different, Something Needed, Something New

New Way

A New Way to Heal

Trauma- a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event.

This word has become more real and relevant to me as we get to experience the incredible stories of some amazing individuals. Starting this month, we get to spend time with and teach middle and high school refugee students in Clarkston once a week. The students we teach represent many walks of life from Ghana, Kenya, Korea, Dubai, Sudan, Uganda, Congo and Zambia just to name a few.  As we listen to their stories, the reality of their traumatic experiences come to life in living color. The persecution and violence they faced have given me a different perspective in how I view the issues here in the USA that we can address as citizens and New Way trainers.

Their stories also continue to validate and reassure me of the work that we do and how much it’s needed. Although the students’ circumstances may leave lasting psychological scars (and physical scars for some), you can feel hope. As we go through activities together, you feel hope arise through smiles and laughter, sometimes even tears. We feel how love touches the human soul and reminds each person of their gifts and value on this earth.

These weekly workshops have become one of the most powerful hours of my week as I see love conquer hate and heal brokenness in many. I see those that would not talk laughing uncontrollably with their peers. I see those that could not speak English well, speak the language of love that we all understand.

Although my natural experience are not anywhere close to being the same as the students, I am learning that any level or degree of trauma must be addressed with patience, love and understanding. I walk away weekly having learned more than I could ever teach. There is truly a New Way of dealing with the trauma in our lives. We must learn to go through the struggle together because we come out closer and stronger in unity on the other side. We are human! We are love. We are family.

Ready for some “Real Talk” about Love?

Love may be in the air for some right now, but there sure is a lot of other stuff in the air along with it!

On this day that the calendar celebrates love, we wanted to share something our New Way trainers have been working on about how to walk in the kind of love that transforms us and powers world-changing movements. It’s deeper than (and outlasts) a gift of chocolate and flowers. This kind of love will offer a kind word and a soft heart toward someone who has hurt or misjudged you. It will seek to understand a person whose views make you want to hide them from your Facebook feed. It’s the kind of love and fire Dr. King said no fire hose could put out. This kind of love does what nothing else does: it frees you to be the best you and gives us all a chance at achieving healing and reconciliation.

Our New Way trainers are working on a book with stories about their own daily journeys to walk this kind of love out. It includes the ways they’ve fallen on their faces as well as the ways they’ve learned to rise above their own internal struggles and contradictions to walk out the good things they believe in.

Each story provides an opportunity for you, the reader, to reflect on one of King’s nonviolence principles as well as a challenge about how to implement that principle into your own life. Right now. Today.

The full book will be available in April, but we want to give you a taste now because we really do believe that what the world needs right now is love, sweet love.

I hope you’ll join me, Ronald, and Barak in this transformational journey in the nonviolence lifestyle.

Download your free sample of our upcoming book HERE.

New Way Trainer- Barak Gibson

Barak Gibson is a freedom fighter. 

Don’t let his kind smile and gentle demeanor fool you into thinking he is an ordinary man. He is living proof that people can be transformed. Barak Gibson was born in Dallas Texas and grew up going to church every Sunday.

The conservative culture began to mold and shape his life and outlook on the world. Prejudice, bias, oppression, hate and fear were all around. Barak learned that one way to feel better about yourself was to look down on others. He hated that he was made fun of because he was chubby. He hated that he was so poor that some days there was no food in the family cupboard. Sadly, he even started to hate people. He started to despise people of different skin tones, religions, economic status and sexual orientation. His anger and bitterness especially came out at the gay community; he ridiculed and threatened those around him simply because they were different. There was a cancer growing in him, and it was taking over. 

Barak learned to play the game. On the outside, he appeared to be successful and many thought he had accomplished the American Dream. He started a successful business that grew into a franchise system, he was a leader in the community and church, and was married to his beautiful partner Cynthia. However, internally Barak was a disaster. Hatred, hopelessness, hurt and hardness filled his heart.

In 2005, Barak had a spiritual awakening and through this experience, he gained freedom from the demons that were raging inside. And once Barak was enlightened to just how bound he had been, and he tasted freedom, he desired that all people should be free.

In 2007, Barak and Cynthia moved to Selma, Alabama. Selma is one of the most racially and economically segregated cities in America and for 7 years, they brought love and hope to the community. Selma authenticated Barak in the principles and ways of nonviolence he never dreamed possible.

Influenced by the nonviolent strategy of Martin Luther King, Barak started teaching nonviolence to college students who came to Selma on Spring Break. New Way’s message is to stick with love. Barak’s mission is to expose the deeper issues that plague our world and recruit fighters for a different kind of army…an army of love. The guy who was once filled with so much hate, brokenness and disdain, is now spreading a message of equality, healing and reconciliation. Now, that is a freedom fighter!

TO SCHEDULE A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT WITH BARAK OR ANOTHER SOMETHING NEW SPEAKER, PLEASE CONTACT BARAK@SOMETHINGNEW.ORG OR CLICK HERE TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION.

Defying the System: What We Can Learn from Congressman John Lewis

We are about to enter into a season in our country that has many people fearful, excited, uncertain, hopeful, angry and joyful. This list of emotions represents the emotional rollercoaster I have personally been on these past few months. The barrage of feelings is something that this article calls the “Trump Slump.” If this is such a thing, how do we prepare ourselves for it?

[Read more…] about Defying the System: What We Can Learn from Congressman John Lewis

Nonviolence in the News

They were used in the Civil Rights Movement, and are being used today. The Kingian Nonviolence Principles and direct action work as long as we continue to use them for positive change.

Watch this powerful video from the next generation about the #WomensMarch happening all over the world this Saturday, January 21st. As the video states, “Together We Follow These Principles…”

 

Make America Great Again

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“Make America Great Again” was the campaign mantra for president-elect Donald Trump’s campaign. It drew much controversy and conversation. It was a controversial statement for many because of the words “great again”. Some  talk about the greatness of America based on its economic freedoms and military power compared to others countries. Others believe America was never great based on its failure to uphold its constitutional promises of equality and freedom of ALL men.

As an African-American from Selma, Alabama where the scene of the picture on THIS BILLBOARD was taken, I actually agree fully and wholeheartedly that we must make America great again!

Was America great when it massacred the natives of the land? Was America great when it instituted slavery and held blacks as property? Was America great when it treated women as second class citizens with a right to vote? Was America great when it kept blacks from voting? Was America great when it persecuted people for their sexual orientation or identity? Was America great when it persecuted people for their religious beliefs? No, this is not what I mean when I say, let’s make America great again.

THIS BILLBOARD tells the story of what I believe is the true greatness of America.

America was great when citizens stood up against the system that was oppressing them and denying them their  constitutional rights. America was great when commonplace men and women used nonviolent, direct action to change the laws of the land. America was great when citizens refused to accept inequality and injustice towards any person. America was great when citizens would stand up when told to sit down. America was great when citizens would sacrifice their jobs, homes, children, bodies and their lives in hope to see America fulfill its promise of “equality and justice for all.” .

Yes, as I said let’s make America great again!