Marin Voice: As campus protests roil, leaders can encourage meaningful communication

Recent protests by college students calling for a cease-fire in Gaza are dominating headlines right now. As tents pop up on campuses, as some are threatened with expulsion and as politicians are exploiting legitimate fears of racism and antisemitism, we are faced with pastoral questions for ourselves.

How do we listen to and emotionally support students while gracefully challenging assumptions? How do we witness a justice imbued with mercy, exhibiting grace with accountability? How do we encourage political dialogue that takes place with humility?

I am concerned that some are protesting without a purpose. That can lead to polarization and division within society. Without a clear objective or understanding of the issues at hand, it becomes difficult to find common ground or work toward meaningful solutions. This can further alienate different groups, perpetuate stereotypes and hinder progress in addressing systemic problems. Silence in the presence of the screams of suffering is simply immoral.

Taking a middle ground is not the answer. We are at the locus of events, decisions and policies that are recent and contribute to the volatility. We are leaders in this crisis of conscience.

A terrorist act by Hamas killed approximately 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7. Hostages were taken. Rapes were committed against innocent women. Since then, nearly 34,000 people have been destroyed by bombs and military operations by the Israeli army. Children and adults are starving due to this destruction.

Due to the unique historical relationship between the U.S. and the government of Israel, it has become a moral challenge for many who live here. American money and political support have made us all unavoidably involved in the pain and suffering of people thousands of miles away.

The social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic response created a void in opportunities to be in dialogue and community. The escalation of algorithms on social media has piled on posts, reels and photos based on perceived topics of interest. The politics of identity have left a generation of students poised to misunderstand, hurt and fight with one another. Many have too few tools and thus little hope of producing pathways to understanding, effective political leverage or socially compelling narratives for moving forward.

Unfortunately, college and university administrations have been confronted with this crisis of conscience during great political scrutiny about their mission and amid struggles for academic freedom, sometimes leading to knee-jerk reactions lacking courage.

Faith communities have a unique opportunity to promote dialogue and understanding by fostering spaces for open conversation and bridge-building between different groups. Faith communities can encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together and engage in respectful, meaningful discussions by emphasizing common values such as compassion, empathy and justice. Through this process, they can help break down barriers, challenge assumptions and create pathways for collaboration and resolution.

We must join with the common cry of our humanity to stop the cycle of violence and dehumanization that is and has been ongoing in Israel and Gaza. Hamas and its ideology are the common enemy. Using tools of violence while ignoring the suffering will only lead to death and lack of security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

I believe the present actions of the Israeli government won’t result in anything other than more death. In this moment, as ministers, pastors and chaplains, we must respond from our individual and authentic places of faith, advocacy for peace and representatives of grace as an essential tool for transformation.

Because of my personal biography, I always look to the ministry of those whose work has allowed me to live a life with dignity – the Civil Rights Movement. For me, this movement, which is now misremembered as if everyone accepted and/or was supported, is a reminder of the perpetual need to remember the principles of nonviolence.

Remind religious and faith organizations that speak up and engage people in dialogues about morality and values. Hold accountable those whose actions limited the power and impact of the message by their own xenophobia. It is once again time to say it is not just bombing that must stop, but relationships must change.

The Rev. Floyd Thompkins, of Novato, is the pastor of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church in Marin City.