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Fresno Center for Nonviolence
November 2021 If tis month was truly a day of giving thanks then the day would be of fasting and not of feast. Watching children play and not watching Football games.
Edited by Richard Gomez
Dedicated to PEACE and SOCIAL JUSTICE through SIMPLICITY ~ JUSTICE ~ INCLUSIVENESS ~ NON-INJURY 1584 N. Van Ness Ave., 93728 – www.centerfornonviolence.org – email: info@centerfornonviolence.org – (559)237-3223. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FresnoCenterforNonviolence/
The Blame for War – Happy Armistice Day.
I ran across a headline that blamed Germany for World War 1 and thought that if it takes two to tango, four to play bridge and seven for an orgy then all the countries that had participated should share some responsibility for the devastation except, because of the war, became new and had to start with a mess they had inherited by the former leaders. Yet most people blamed Germany as the losers despite the demise of Ottoman Empire that came tumbling down but no one seems to care. The Soviet Union, due to its Socialist Revolution and leaving the war prematurely received the worst incrimination from both Allied and Axis powers. Immediately at the end of the War, both winners and losers of the war joined together to attack the newly formed Soviet Union. Even the last Premier of Russia, before the Bolshevik Revolution, Alexander Kerensky, and the Czars Secret Police; the Cossacks, joined and helped began the Russian Civil War which lasted until the Soviet Union sent the last American prisoner of war home in April of 1920. Oh well, war is so hard to please people unless you can take credit for the win even if you did not.
A friend of mine who teaches in Madera reminded me that WW1 ended not by the armies of the Allied but by the German soldiers, farmers and workers who got fed up with the war and their horrid suffering from it. They took a cue from the Bolshevik Revolution and created a People’s Army that turned away from war to marched on Kaiser William II who abdicated and fled the country. The Allies followed soon after and American history recorded them as the ultimate victors. Thanks to Hollywood, the Allied who were the most experienced in violence as well as propaganda gave us an history lesson in who, what, where, when and the why for “a war to end all wars.” A war that many in America believed that it was a European conflict and saw no need to fight it. But people were shocked and move to join the war effort after seeing the movie reels of the atrocities of the German or “the Huns” on its innocence victims.
The general audiences were convinced that every day and twice on Saturdays, that some young fair hair maiden was to be most grievously molested except for the rescue of some clean-cut Army soldiers that killed the offending German before any evil could be done. The power of silent motion pictures created a legitimacy for war. Although the war on the silver screen and later television were fictional, people allowed themselves to become part of the action, drama, and romance of the war movies in a sense, part of the American lifestyle if not the dream.
So we must examine this hundred plus year idealization of war, not just condone or condemn it. If we wish to blame someone for wars, then it should be those responsible for it but who are also responsible for those who call for a war, for those who create the illusions for war or those who hide the war from us. Even if an act like an attack on Pearl Harbor or 9/11 occurs, we need to change our evils ways and act like human beings who are interested in building a peaceful society. War is no answer and blaming people for acts of violence is also not the answer. We cannot change the sins of the past, but we can heal the wounds and move forward with a better heart to make a better world. The world is a gift but if we cannot take care of this planet. There will be no one left to blame. – RG
Stir It Up!
Wednesday November 10th @3pm KFCF 88.1 FM
This month’s host will be Josh Shurely with guest regarding Armistice Day, the original name of the End of World War 1. Guest to be announced later. For more information call on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at (559)237-3223 or check our website at www.centerfornonviolence.org
In September Josh Shurely was our host with guest Will Hirst, professor of psychology from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. To hear it again go to: https://soundcloud.com/user-32180140/stiu090821?si=ea006ca766da43a698d22158ca0f15218.
In October Josh Shurely was our host with his guest, Roman Rain Tree, local indigenous activist who have been very active in issues such as removing the Fresno High mascot and changing the name of Squaw Valley. This program will focus on issue’s related to Indigenous People Day. To hear it again go to: https://soundcloud.com/user-32180140/stiu101321.
