Peace efforts were spoken of as not only external work. According to panel member the Rev. William Gardiner, they begin from within.

The Rev. Gardiner told about being "an internal white supremacist." Growing up, Gardiner said, he learned of "the great white men who built this nation" and how "he should help those of color" who were less fortunate. It was not until after college and an experience "helping people of color" in Washington, D.C., that he learned to develop what he called an "anti-racist identity."

The Rev. Gardiner said he realized he was not being effective or helpful because of the powerful internalization he had learned all his life.

"I like to think of myself now as a recovering racist," the Rev. Gardiner joked.

There are three ways the Rev. Gardiner said he found to be the change he sought, using accountability, caucusing and staying at the table. "I began following those of color as an effective ally," the Rev. Gardiner said. "I began to reflect on what we were doing." The Rev. Gardiner encouraged people to persevere, or stay at the table. Working for peace, he said, "is going to be rough, and it is so easy to walk away and deny what is going on."

Another panel member, Sharon D. Welch, an author and professor of religion and society at the Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, talked about sharing ideas with others without anger.

"It took me decades to realize that I no longer trust the rush of righteous indignation," Welch said.

"The basis for justice and peace could be love for the world," she said.

E-MAIL: cneugebauer@desnews.com