Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.
While rape has been a horrific companion to most wars throughout history and is a current reality in areas of political unrest such as Colombia and Darfur, rape has reached epidemic proportions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Textbook orders for the spring semester were due in a few days, the 2024 presidential election still a month away. In January, I’d begin teaching International Women’s Literature for the first time in 20 years, and to freshen up my reading list, I added several books from “best of” lists—authors I’d not read before, but whose work seemed appropriate for the course’s objectives.
