Pace e Bene Blog
Ordinary Courage book launch: Donna Mulhearn with Neville Watson and Jo Vallentine
February 21st, 2010 - by Jarrod McKenna
‘In this powerful memoir, Donna Mulhearn’s courage and principles stand in damning contrast to the lies told in our name. I salute her.’ -John Pilger
I’m pleased to be MC’ing the book launch of “Ordinary Courage: My Journey to Baghdad as a Human Shield” by Donna Mulhearn as part of the Perth Writers Festival. If you are not familiar with Donna, she is one of the leading voices in the Australian peace movement and this is her first book. Donna comes to activism as a former political advisor with a background in journalism who now has a passion for contemplative spirituality expressed in concrete compassionate action.
The book, much like my friend Donna, is spirited, intelligent, courageous and often surprisingly humorous in the midst of tragedy.
Hope you can join us with special guests and long time leaders in the Australian Peace Movement, Jo Vallentine, named by the West Australian Newspaper as “as one of the state’s one hundred most influential people ever” and Neville Watson, who Cathy Kelly has called her “spiritual mentor”.
It will be hosted by the W.A Edmund Rice Network, held at the Christian Brothers Support Centre, Westcourt, 53 Redmond St Salter Point, from 7pm. There will be some light refreshments served and books will be available on the night.
Hope to see you there for what will be an thought provoking and inspiring night.
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Brisbane Launch
The Brisbane Launch of Donna’s book was a night of inspiration and challenge. The inspiration came from Donna’s story and the introduction by Dave Andrews. The challenge came in Donna’s refrain to find your purpose.
I have started reading “Ordinary Courage” as my text for this Holy Week in the Christian Calendar. The book is more than a diary of courage. It is a pilgrim’s journal that challenges the dominant cultural values of my Aussie heritage as a white male.
Donna writes with the keen eye of a journalist tempered by the compassion of a heart formed in disciplined meditation. Ordinary Courage is not an easy read. It brings tears and anger as much as joy and hope in the unfolding of the dreadful days leading up to the Invasion of Iraq.
I haven’t finished reading yet. However, I know that the end of the book will be an invitation to my own exploring of my ability to live with “Ordinary Courage” in my sphere of influence among family friends and neighbours.
Images of the Brisbane launch can be seen here