Blog

#WhatisHappeninginMyanmar

Women hang their traditional skirts, Htamein, over the streets to stop the military forces in their tracks. This creative strategy stopped soldiers in Myanmar as a well-known superstition that a man may lose their power and influence when they walk under women's Htamein. Photo by: STR / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES This week’s blog contributor … Continue reading #WhatisHappeninginMyanmar

Small Talk for Big Change by James Dunmore

Photo: City Of Churches by Paul Klee College campuses create a unique hub, students, professors and faculty coming together from many different locations and backgrounds, each playing their role to help foster an environment which might be conducive to personal and communal growth. Yet, for this to happen at its best, each individual must be … Continue reading Small Talk for Big Change by James Dunmore

Local and global practicum experiences prepare EMU’s next generation of peacebuilders by Christopher Clymer Kurtz

We are highlighting student experiences and practicums on the PXD Blog and so are re-posting this piece originally published February 7, 2018, at EMU News. Above Ben Rush works with practicum supervisor Jonathan McRay at Blacks Run Forest Farm in Harrisonburg. Rush, a peacebuilding and development major, spent the fall 2017 semester practicing a diverse … Continue reading Local and global practicum experiences prepare EMU’s next generation of peacebuilders by Christopher Clymer Kurtz

Let Me Rest by Mariana Martinez-Hernandez

Photo by: Rachel Holderman/EMU I’ve been playing around with this poem for months. Studying in the field of peacebuilding has been the most significant step into a beautifully messy deconstruction of my life, beliefs, and emotions. The anger and frustration of this poem, I hope, will one day turn into joy and rest. Let Me … Continue reading Let Me Rest by Mariana Martinez-Hernandez

Both Siding by Naomi Davis

The EMU Black Student Alliance (BSA) reveals their Black Lives Matter mural, painted on the parking lot in front of the University Commons. Photo by: Rachel Holderman/EMU I woke up a couple of weeks ago disturbed by people idolizing compromise in a way that balances perspectives of liberation with anti-liberation. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther … Continue reading Both Siding by Naomi Davis

PXD Blog: A Re-introduction by Simelwe Dlova and Timothy Seidel

This photo of Simelwe was taken in front of the Campus Center building. (Photo: Lucie Martinot-Lagarde ) PXD Blog: A Re-introduction by Simelwe Dlova and Timothy Seidel It’s been a while--more than a long COVID winter--but we (Simelwe and Tim) are dusting off the PXD Blog with some new energy and new ideas for 2021. … Continue reading PXD Blog: A Re-introduction by Simelwe Dlova and Timothy Seidel

EMU hosts Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship

Keynote speaker Erica Littlewolf, Northern Cheyenne from southeastern Montana, speaks at the Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship conference in February 2020. She works for Mennonite Central Committee's Indigenous Visioning Circle. (Photo by Macson McGuigan) This post was originally published at EMU News. EMU hosted the 2020 Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship February 7-9. The Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship (ICPF) is … Continue reading EMU hosts Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship

From Harrisonburg to Denver—by way of the Middle East by Nate Bailey

I had no idea what I was doing when I found myself at EMU my first year. I knew I liked the valley, and the community, but as far as what to study—I looked at the list of majors available and crossed off everything that didn’t seem interesting to me. All that was left was … Continue reading From Harrisonburg to Denver—by way of the Middle East by Nate Bailey

An MLK Day Reflection by Ariel Barbosa

Giving tours this week, I felt within myself a surge of excitement when my group and I walked past the MLK holiday book section in the library. I knew that in the next moment, I’d open my mouth and out would spill my excitement for what EMU did so differently this year. I would smile … Continue reading An MLK Day Reflection by Ariel Barbosa

Grad School Q & A: Larisa Zehr ’11 heads to law school after six years of peacebuilding work in Colombia

Larisa Zehr is a 2011 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University, where she majored in peacebuilding and development, and minored in pre-law, history and social sciences, and political studies. Since graduation, she has worked for the non-government organization (NGO) Sembrandopaz in Colombia – first with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), then directly as a staff member. She … Continue reading Grad School Q & A: Larisa Zehr ’11 heads to law school after six years of peacebuilding work in Colombia