Introduction
Often you hear that history repeats itself. To me transitional justice is the type of justice that attempts to stop just that. Instead, transitional justice protects citizens from undergoing the same brutalities from the past protecting them now and in the future. It is protection through laws, which help people feel security and that aids them for future success. Louis Bickford (2004) describes justice in the article Transitional Justice as “[it] refers to a field of activity and inquiry focused on how societies address legacies of past human rights abuses, mass atrocity, or other forms of severe social trauma, including genocide or civil war, in order to build a more democratic, just, or peaceful future” (p. 1045).
My Small Societies
The society I am going to focus on is my family unit. Though it is small it runs much like a society. In this society everyone has their own role. My great grandmother used to be the head of the family. She dealt with everyone, was able to iron out the conflicts, made sure the family always came together, made sure everyone was okay. When my great grandmother passed away the family did not run as smooth as it used to. In my household (sub society) my fiancé is the one who takes care of the business, while I take care of the household. When there is conflict, the family does not run smooth, which causes more difficulty in getting things done. In the main society conflicts arise from the members who are not following the rules of the family. Those getting in trouble with the law are often treated more like outcasts. In the sub society, my home life, conflict arises when power is questioned. Different conflicts that may arise are questions about: who should make the decisions, how do you divide decision making, and who is right and wrong? Often people’s separate beliefs and feelings are what can cause a fire to spread. Bernard S Mayer describes communication as a main reason for conflict in the book _The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution_, “[h]umans are very imperfect communicators. Sometimes this imperfection generates conflict, whether or not there is a significant incompatibility of interests, and it almost always makes conflict harder to solve. When trying to understand transitional justice it is important to understand both conflict and peace. When trying to understand transitional justice, it is first crucial to understand conflict. Conflict is what causes the need for transitional justice”. In my family structure this is the main cause of conflict. Communication is often replaced by miscommunication, and something that is nothing can be made into an immense conflict.
Conflict
One conflict that had been raised before is how my fiancé and I communicate with each other. Sometimes I think he speaks to me too harsh, and he thinks that I am way too overly emotional. When we say something to each other often it is misconstrued. It can especially be misconstrued when one or both of us are angry. I will often think that something he says is rude, and he often says, “I did not say that”. Sometimes we will realize that the whole conflict began because I thought he said something when he actually didn’t exactly mean that. Other times it can happen when reading beyond words or a statement. Often, this can cause conflict, and sometimes can be needless.
Most conflict in the family unit begins when there is a power struggle, or there are differences of opinion and emotion. My fiancé is a person who likes to have control. I am not as much of a leader as he is, but sometimes, I feel like taking the lead. Conflict may arise because he is so use to being the head of the family. I am a very emotional person, who holds strong opinions. My fiancé is a very unemotional person. Conflict can arise when I hold strong passions about my emotions, and my feelings get hurt by statements that may lack feeling or concern. Mayer describes how conflict can come about over feelings, and often the start of the conflict or the disagreement cannot even be identified. This describes my family “society” completely. My feelings often get in the way of rationalization. When I am angry or emotional I cannot rationalize my thoughts, and the anger and emotion is only the flame to the fire that grows. When arguing, the argument can truly be about something that does not even matter, but I can argue about it like it is the most important thing in the world (to me, at the moment, it is).
Global Conflict Map
In the interactive map, global conflict often arises because of disagreement or lack of power. One example of this was Columbia in 1899 to 1903. 100,000 people died because of the disagreement between conservatives and liberals. The difference between global conflict and small societal conflict is that the result may end in war. It is a travesty that 100,000 died over conflict or a war on change. Similarities are that conflict arises when people’s voices are not being heard and when their basic necessities are not being given to them. This supports what Peace Pledge Union stated about conflict in _Understanding Conflict, Understanding Peace_, “[h]uman beings have basic needs. Everyone needs to be recognized as an individual with a personal identity; everyone needs to be able to feel safe. If these needs aren't met, people protest, and protesting can lead to rebellion and violence”. All conflict is important, not only so that there can be change, but it is important to meet needs of the society. When conflict arises people can die, which also makes all conflict dangerous. It is crucial that there is as much peace as possible and that as many people are able to meet their needs as possible.
Peace
Peace is very important to me. It is important that there are avenues that can create resolution. Sometimes I feel like without a resolution I cannot accomplish peace of mind. Without finding an answer to the conflict I feel as if it will happen again, or never truly end. Peace is important because when conflict arises so can stress, sickness, and sadness. Communication skills could be the support necessary to resolve conflict in my family. Learning to communicate and listen to each other’s needs could be very helpful in the long run. The optimal end result is for both of us to have our needs met. For us both to feel content, and that we are heard. Globally, I think this concept could also be explored. Communication is the key to understanding each other. It is crucial that every member of society receive their basic needs.
REFERENCES
Bickford, Louis. From The Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity (Macmillan Reference USA, 2004), vol. 3, pp. 1045-1047. Reproduced with permission
Mayer, B. The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution: A Practioner's Guide.
Nobel Media. (Designer). (2011). Conflict map. [Web]. Retrieved from http://nobelprize.org/educational/peace/conflictmap/conflictmap.html
Peace Pledge Union. (2001). Understanding conflict, understanding peace. Retrieved from http://www.ppu.org.uk/
IMAGE REFERENCE
Patel, Ana. (Photographer). (2008). Ddr and transitional justice. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.ictj.org/en/research/projects/ddr/index.html
