We can’t do it alone.

We can’t do it alone. We’ve already done the best we can alone.
– Robert Hilton

Hi everyone,

Here’s a scenario familiar to many psychotherapists. A client seeks help after having been abused by someone in their history. Either the abuse has never been discussed, or the perpetrator denies it. The client feels powerless as if healing can only progress by getting the perpetrator to acknowledge and own up to their destructive actions. Therapists deal with this all the time and support clients through the many agonizing stages of rage, grief, and heartbreak toward taking back a healthy sense of self-empowerment. Ultimately, for most, much healing is possible without any involvement from the perpetrator. The therapist becomes the much-needed emotionally present witness and validator of the pain and damage done.

How is it similar or different when generations of genocide survivors and their children have never received acknowledgement from the perpetrators of genocide? When we look at the Armenian genocide, we find that many survivors, children of survivors, and grandchildren of survivors have felt like their lives are on hold without this validation. What can others do to help? Is there a way to create a community of witnesses to help support the healing for a community of survivors? Or…???

These are some of the issues we will be discussing on April 2, when our second commemorative film series event will focus on the Armenian Genocide.
Please join us.

For info on all six events, film trailers, and to RSVP, see:  Remembering the Past toward Healing our Future.
The events are free, but space is limited, so please RSVP on the web site.

Warmly,

Barbara English, LMFT
Founder & Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n. Every human being truly becomes a human by means of relationships with other human beings.

::: UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS :::

Great American Write-In – Women For: Orange County
Saturday, April 5 9:30a-1p
Delhi Center
Santa Ana

OC Walk to End Genocide – Jewish World Watch
Sunday, April 6 1p-4p
Fountain Valley Sports Park – Great Lawn
Fountain Valley

8th Annual Golden West College 2014 Peace Conference
PEACE: Our Challenge, Our Opportunity, Our Legacy
Friday, April 18 8:30a-5p
Huntington Beach