This Remembrance Sunday I am attaching links to two past posts of mine. On this day I recall all those who died or were injured in body or mind in wars they had no part in starting. I honour those who stood and fell against the forces of fascism from whatever country they hailed from. Some of the bravest were those who fought against fascism within their own lands or hearts. I honour those whose sacrifices were forgotten because of the colour of their skin, nation of origin or religion. In the long-accepted history of two world wars, it is increasingly obvious that this has often been the case. I honour too the generation who worked across borders between nations that were once enemies to reach and sustain peace. May just peace be protected, extended and strengthened. I say ‘just peace’ because we should never be complicit in oppression masquerading as peace.
It’s important we acknowledge when currents of racism, xenophobia and other discriminations are on the rise. If we fight violent ideologies now with firm words and collective non-violent action, my hope is fewer people will have to take up arms in any avoidable conflicts of future years. We can further limit wars if we understand the link between climate chaos and many wars in our petroleum addicted, divided world. It is no coincidence that nations on the frontline of climate injustice are prone to conflict, nor that lands rich in oil are often fought over for control. We can each play a role in nurturing peace just as we can each question our governments when and if our defense forces are being misused or given unjust orders. As we remember all the fallen and the injured past and present, we must include the loss and lasting damage to civilians and our fellow creatures, together with the impact on the planet and diplomatic relations of any war. Inclusive remembrance does not glorify war, it counts its cost.
We owe it to the fallen to lift up the living, remember the past, seed unity in the present and so limit future wars and its losses. Here are the two links I mentioned:
Antonia Sara Zenkevitch 