I remember the Grandmother in Iraq
She was cursing the soldiers from my country, she would hate them forever, and she was completely justified. I knew this because I was able to watch updates and video footage of their actions. I know the antiquities were looted because no one bothered to protect them--some of the most ancient treasures of early civilization on our planet. I know children were hit by bombs. I know because the government didn't stop me from knowing. And then the shame of Abu Ghraib. I saw it all and in the lead up to the war I had voiced my disagreement every day, contacted my representatives, argued that there were no WMD and that they had kicked the inspector out before they went in, not letting him finish his job. No one listened but I tried. That did not stop the feelings of shame, regret, horror that overcame me.
Years later I have two grandchildren who have ancestors in Iraq so I am doubly reminded. But none of us should ever forget when our countries implicate us in horrific death and destruction.
That is how I learned that not everyone agrees when their country goes to war or plans a "military action." There is tragedy enough to go around on all sides. I imagine, sometimes, that if every cent we all spend on weapons could be spent on healing this planet, feeding everyone and growing enough food for everyone, we could turn our planet back into paradise. Climate change could be reversed. But we would have to learn how to listen to each other with love before that could ever happen. We'd have to check our egos at the door.
I hope I have chosen my words carefully enough, couched in terms of my own country's past actions, to have satisfied the rules here. I have fallen mostly silent here precisely because I don't know what to talk about that stays within the lines. But I have too many feelings today to keep them all inside.
Years later I have two grandchildren who have ancestors in Iraq so I am doubly reminded. But none of us should ever forget when our countries implicate us in horrific death and destruction.
That is how I learned that not everyone agrees when their country goes to war or plans a "military action." There is tragedy enough to go around on all sides. I imagine, sometimes, that if every cent we all spend on weapons could be spent on healing this planet, feeding everyone and growing enough food for everyone, we could turn our planet back into paradise. Climate change could be reversed. But we would have to learn how to listen to each other with love before that could ever happen. We'd have to check our egos at the door.
I hope I have chosen my words carefully enough, couched in terms of my own country's past actions, to have satisfied the rules here. I have fallen mostly silent here precisely because I don't know what to talk about that stays within the lines. But I have too many feelings today to keep them all inside.