Paul K. Chappell, a graduate of West Point and an Iraq war veteran, is coming to Minneapolis, MN in September to share his work on Peace Literacy. It was in the military that he learned about conflict resolution – go figure.
Paul is the son of a Korean mother and a father of white and African American descent. His father was a Vietnam veteran with PTSD who brutalized Paul. Paul had plans to be a school shooter and has since dealt with his childhood trauma and his resulting rage.
At West Point Academy his studies included history, mythology, war and nonviolent leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi and Jesus. He learned that peace is possible and that Peace Literacy is necessary IF humanity is to survive the pitfalls of war and climate change. He explains how war is not natural nor inevitable and that people are not naturally violent.
See his Chautauqua talk or several on YouTube (this one is only 3 minutes) or read from his seven-book “Road to Peace”series.
The Peace Group at my church (First Universalist Church of Minneapolis) is bringing Paul to town during “10 Days Free From Violence” which starts on September 21st, International Peace Day — the first initiative of TWIN CITIES NONVIOLENT https://www.facebook.com/Twin-Cities-Nonviolent- 135270583857949/
“Captain Paul K. Chappell has given us a crucial look at war and peace from the unique perspective of a soldier, and his new ideas show us why world peace is both necessary and possible in the 21st century.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Paul recommends Lt. Dave Grossman (Army Ranger) & his books: “On Combat” and especially “On Killing” which is required reading for West Point students, the Amish, and others.
Paul will be here for four or more days and will be working with several groups with a focus on empowering students.
