Ep 2. The Fight for Peace

The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman season 1 episode 2, titled "The Fight for Peace," explores the concept of peace and the struggles faced by societies worldwide to achieve it. Morgan Freeman takes the audience on a journey to various corners of the world, where people have been fighting for peace for several years.

The episode begins by highlighting the struggles faced by women in Liberia, who stood up against their dictator, Charles Taylor, to bring peace to their country. The women's activism was crucial in bringing an end to the civil war, and their story serves as a powerful example for people fighting for peace around the world.

From Liberia, the show moves to Northern Ireland, where the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, putting an end to decades of violence between Catholics and Protestants. Freeman meets with people who played a critical role in the peace process, including George Mitchell, the former US Senator who oversaw the negotiations that led to the agreement.

The episode also examines the struggles faced by Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East, who have been fighting for peace for decades. Freeman visits the Peace Now movement, which advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and talks with leaders of both sides about their hopes and fears for the future.

Moving on from the Middle East, the show explores the role of education in bringing about peace. Freeman visits a school in South Africa, which was established to educate both black and white students together, following the end of apartheid. The school's founder, Nelson Mandela, believed that education is the key to bringing different groups together and fostering peace.

The episode doesn't just focus on peacemaking, but also the maintenance of peace. Freeman looks at how societies can move on from past trauma and continue to live in harmony. He visits Rwanda, where the country is working to rebuild after the 1994 genocide that claimed the lives of around one million Tutsis. Freeman talks with survivors and leaders about how they've worked to create a society that values peace and tolerance.

Throughout the episode, Freeman's powerful narration guides the audience through the stories of these courageous people who have fought and continue to fight for peace. Each story is unique and tells us something about the universal human desire for peace. The show offers a sobering reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve it.

Overall, The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman season 1 episode 2 "The Fight for Peace" is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the universal human desire for peace. Freeman's narration and the stories of the people he meets make for engaging viewing that highlights the power of peacemaking and the positive impact it can have on the world.