War and Peace

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — There’s war and there’s peace, and then there’s the World War II Foundation and Museum and local resident Marc Levitt, who is exploring both.

The two have teamed up to present a series of forums that delve into the complex issues underlying the perpetual presence of this paradox over the centuries. The examination comes as television news programs showcase the effects of war in the Middle East between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group.

“These conversations can help foster a local culture that embraces peaceful and respectful engagement, while also being able to converse and potentially disagree without vitriol or disrespect,” said Levitt

War and peace — often used colloquially to mean large and small — are complex issues that are not easily understood.

“My hope is that through this project and others, Wakefield’s World War II Foundation and Museum can become a hub for learning about the past and to create a more peaceful, intelligent, and socially engaged society,” Levitt said. “I want to teach and learn about how to resolve violence, not just study the history, heroism, and tragedy of war. We believe that if war is taught, so should peace.”

War and peace are often seen as opposites. War is destructive and chaotic, while peace is harmonious and constructive. In an aspirational sense, war and peace can represent conflict in different ways.

War can be viewed as the struggle to achieve a goal, even if it requires hardship, sacrifice, and tension. Peace, on the other hand, can be the state of tranquility or at least some kind of harmony that is the desired outcome of all struggles.

In this sense, war and peace are not mutually exclusive. They are, instead, two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other.

The museum staff working with Levitt aims to inspire forum attendees to explore topics through discussion. They believe, as many teachers do, that discussion can reveal the intricate aspects of events and situations relating to war and peace.

The forums will be held at the foundation’s offices, at 344 Main Street, Wakefield, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.