News from Peace Begins With Me

The proliferation of poppies attached to the lapels of people passing in the street is a ritual we have engaged in at this time of year for as long as I can remember. But what exactly is the wearing of the poppy meant to signify? What are we being asked to remember on Remembrance Day?

We're told it's about remembering the sacrifices of those who engaged in battle during times of war. That it's about remembering the dead. But, for what end? What would be different if we truly remembered the dead and the sacrifices of men and women at war? For some the poppy is a way of supporting our troops currently waging war in the battlefields. But, what do we mean by support?

I must admit I am conflicted in the idea of wearing a poppy. I wish to honour the dead and those who have made sacrifices for us. I'm concerned that the poppy has become a vote of support for the kind of military campaigns currently being waged in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I see war as a statement of failure. It means that we as a community of people have failed to respect and honour each other in more civilized ways. The practice of killing others and destroying their way of life is not the mark of a civilized species, but rather one that has resorted to force to reach its goals.

A friend who often hears me speak on the need for peace challenges me on my position of peaceful co-existence. "Something must be done", he declares. "What would you do with these terrorists, these radicals who only wish us dead?" My difficulty with his question is that I don't construct the world this way. I don't see others as 'radicals, terrorists, or insurgents'. I see them as like me. I see them as wanting what I want, needing what I need - peace, joy, dignity, respect, food, shelter, and security. I see them as mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, neighbours and friends. When I view them this way I am unable to see war and killing as the solution to our dilemma of peaceful co-existence.

And so in response to my friend's genuine search for an alternative way my response is simply this - change our language. I believe language is very powerful. Language has the capacity to frame our perspective. It creates the lens through which we view the world and determines how we make meaning of our experiences. I notice that when war is being encouraged the language changes such that we no longer see the other as a human being, a loved one, someone worthy of honour and respect. Instead we dehumanize them. We employ language that polarizes and makes them unlike us.

War is not the answer, and our veterans are often the first people to speak of the futility of war. Maybe Remembrance Day ought to be our declaration of 'war no more'. Maybe the poppy ought to be replaced with the dove of peace.

choosing peace
Ted