NAGASAKI: 78 Years Ago Today
Every year, John Steinbach of the Hiroshima Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area organizes events to commemorate the US AtomicBombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 1948. In past years he bought Hibakusha, survivors of the bomb to speak. They are now in their 80s and 90s.
We gathered last night in front of the White House before 10, for 2 minutes of silence at the time the bomb was dropped. After introductions, John asked us to imagine the city and the people and their experience of being unexpectedly hit.
I first imagined being the pilot flying the plane before dropping the bomb, before shifting to the victim position. Afterwards we shared our reflections. Someone mentioned children whose families were killed, wandering around not understanding what happened. We are all committed to doing what we can to challenge such evil forces in our world
Today August 9, people from many faith organizations gathered at noon in front of the White House. People read an apology to the people of Japan.
Here is an interesting news clip I received from Kathy Boylan, from the Catholic Workers House.
https://www.dcdave.com/article5/Nagasaki.pdf
In 2005 I went to visit Japan for the 60th anniversary of the bombings and attended the Conference Against the A and H Bombs.
They sang “We shall overcome” - I realized an international anthem.
Hopefully, with Ellsberg on our minds and the Oppenheimer film we can begin a new round of consciousness raising. Here is my recent post.
War is a terrible choice for those who start it. Sadly those in charge in Japan made that choice. IIf they had surrendered after Nagasaki, Hiroshima would not have happened. Do the Japanese acknowledge the murder of unknown millions of Chinese civilians. Does the USA acknowledge the Chemical warfare we used in Vietnam on the innocent villages. My mother lived through the bombing of England. Every night for years. Her opinion was, if a country starts a war, they can't complain about what the country they attacked has to do to end it. My heart goes out to the innocent who pay for the wars politicians start. Even the German women and children, most innocent. One would hope we never resort to using those terrible weapons again.
Humans have so many traumas to heal from. Why? Are we under the influence?