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Conflict 4 Change: Jews killed in Kansas

A 73-year-old neo-Nazi shot and killed three people at two Kansas City Jewish centres on Sunday. The shooting rampage was officially classified a "hate crime" today by authorities.

This is a clear conflict of religion ‘Conflict is a process that begins when one party perceives that another party has negatively affected, or is about to negatively affect, something the first party cares about’ Huczynski & Buchanan (2010:661). It is sad that these radical measures of extreme conflict still occur. Jewish people have endured centuries of discrimination, abuse, and genocide. Forcing different religions or races to change through violence should be a thing of the past now.

However, conflict does not need to be disruptive and unnatural, conflict can be a force for change; people need to fight against this anti-Semitism and become more tolerant and welcoming of other religions.  The fact that this attack has happened is even more reason for people to show how conflict can be an energising force in society! Showing support for those innocent Jewish people who have been unfairly attacked can be an agent for evolution and an agent for change.

Obama stated today that:

 “Nobody should have to worry about their security when gathering with their fellow believers, no one should ever have to fear for their safety when they go to pray.”

Obama is supporting the fact that this conflict should support a campaign to stop violence and racism, and induce other positive outcomes such as a search for new approaches to reduce prejudice, discrimination and hate crimes.  

A Unitarist views conflict as inharmonious, at the minute for those families of the victims this conflict will be harmful and damaging. However, it is important to remember that conflict is inevitable it is a necessary force to push change and innovation. The fact that these killings have occurred will be a motivating energy to deal with the fact that anti-Semitism still has not been stopped and racism and discrimination still happens.

The graph below shows the extreme extent in which Jewish people receive hate crimes. Mostly vandalism, such as Nazi-inspired graffiti or destruction of cemetery headstones.

Jewish people have been victims of hate and genocide for years and the shooting in Kansas is an example which has made world wild publicity; hopefully from this people can realise that this conflict is not right and will fight for change.

What is your view on conflict? Please comment your opinion.