'The Force of Truth': International Peace Flag raised in front of Warriner Hall
Central Michigan University students, faculty, and President Robert Davies gathered in spite of pouring rain to celebrate peace movements around the world by raising the International Peace Flag outside of Warriner Hall April 18.
The motto of the peace flag is “Pro Concordia Labor” which translates to “I work for peace."
CMU first raised the Peace Flag in May 2015 in support of an international group of women who crossed the demilitarized zone in order to restart peace talks between North and South Korea. Since 2015, CMU has raised the peace flag annually to celebrate different figures and events in peace history.
This year, CMU raised the flag for several reasons: to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Korea’s nonviolent and democratic uprising of March 1, 1919; the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gandhi and to welcome Davies to CMU.
After introductory remarks by Director of Center for International Ethics Hope May, students and faculty spoke on topics related Gandhi’s term satyagraha which translates to “force of truth," how it has resonated throughout history and how people can carry it into their lives today. This term represents actively pursuing nonviolence in the face of violence. It has inspired leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and others.
“(Peace) work is one where people are not just inspired domestically," May said. "The Koreans were inspired by Woodrow Wilson. Martin Luther King is inspired by Gandhi. There are all these international connections and threads that we are a part of today."
Speeches by faculty emphasized integrating peace and nonviolence into dialogue within the classroom.
“The question to ask is, 'What kind of learning environment makes it possible to conduct experiments in truth, to turn the dialogue in the classroom into a kind of laboratory for peace and democracy?'” asked Andrew Blom, faculty in the Department of Philosophy and Religion.
The significance of raising the flag in front of Warriner Hall was to recognize the work of E.C. Warriner, CMU’s 4th president. From 1918-1939, he was actively involved in the 19th century Peace Movement to which the peace flag is connected.
Davies spoke on Warriner’s legacy of peace and the intersection between intellect and character.
“(Peace) is our obligation as an educated individual, as a citizen of the world, to understand that you have power," he said. "It is not something you should do, it is your inherent obligation to do.”
