On Peace Day, worrying about a polarized US
On International Peace Day Sept. 21, my thoughts were here at home, in the U.S., where we are collectively still processing the murder of Charlie Kirk.

I think you’d be hard pressed to find any American in either political tribe who hasn't experienced powerful emotions about Kirk’s life and death the last few weeks. The emotions, powered by social and traditional media echo chambers, are the fuel for partisanship and division—the very antithesis of peace.

I’m left depressed, and wondering if there's anything remaining that can bring us together. Do the warring factions in the U.S. (and elsewhere, I might add) even want peace? Probably not, especially when conflict and war serve their selfish interests.

What’s the solution? The first step away from polarization in the U.S. begins with media literacy education that can equip media consumers with the tools to analyze and reject hate speech and partisan misinformation. Politically, it’s time for an effective third party in the middle of the political spectrum, one that eschews the rhetoric and extremism of both the right and the left. 

If we are to be a nation drowning in demagoguery, then at least let it be demagoguery for peace.

Young leaders, experienced journalists
22 Young Southeast Asian Leaders (YSEALIs) are descending upon the East-West Center in Honolulu next week for a program to study environmental resources and design projects to mitigate resource depletion and mismanagement. I’m privileged to be working with the leaders ages 20-25 during several sessions on storytelling.

Then Oct. 5, 11 regional journalists will come to Honolulu for the Jefferson Fellowships. The fellows’ study and reporting tour will journey to Indonesia and Thailand after Hawaii to report about food security.

I’ll be writing about both these initiatives in the coming days. Stay tuned.