I've been a peacenik and a lover of American popular music since 1967 when at the age of eight, I came with my family from Portugal to live in The States. The Vietnam War had a profound impact even on me, a mere child. Back then, of course, the war footage was shown on television and ground battle was far less "efficient", I'm sure. I recall feeling repulsed and sad by the killing and destruction.
I think the single most powerful social movement I've experienced since coming to this country was the anti-Vietnam movement and the Woodstock generation, or whatever you want to call it. The Cold War with the Soviet Union was another phenomenon that influenced how I feel about war, peace, politics and international relations.
Just a bit of a preamble to the introduction of this song I found on a great website/blog called Yo! What Happened to Peace! I believe strongly that politics and art do mix and that art can be a powerful tool for social and political change. Here is Adam Stern performing War, with artwork by Mear One.
Marc Dalessio (update 2024)
1 week ago
This post is a real gift of peace PS.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to encounter as I awaken on a gray Sunday feeling unsure.
Thank you for your presence, your words, your wisdom, a great video and great links.
Peace to you always.
Great song. Great link. thanks
ReplyDeletehe is a lovely, intense young man.
ReplyDeletethe images reminded me that Americans (especially the "still Bush supporters" and the McCain supporters) need to have this war crammed into their faces the way Vietnam was. Shame on the press and the Pentagon for hiding the truth.
And shame on Americans for not demanding it.
Can you imagine what a different world it would be if we lived by the old adage "You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar."?
ReplyDeletegreat great site, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Dianne - I think we are complacent because the press is not giving us footage like they did in Vietnam. For fear of losing their special "embedded" position in the military units, they submit to some pretty intense rules about what to film, and what to report.
ReplyDeleteOf course the flip side of this is that the footage and reporting can hurt the soldiers and their families - that's one reason sited for the cooperation with the rules. But I wonder how much of that is spin.
I do understand that we are without the images that once pervaded re: the reality of war and that it's part of how this horror continues. But I guess I'd like to see a song that's calling for peace show images of people creating peace. Keeping the vision, Kitty
ReplyDeleteFran - you're a dear person and one who is well aware of peace starting within. Thanks for your kind words. I so appreciate knowing you in the blog neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteDianne and Steve: I agree with you both, many times over.
Kitty - I think the images in the video have a very appropriate place. This administration has done nothing for peace. Not one thing. What has been done in the name of American needs to be documented and put out to people. I wish there could be another song like John Lennon's Imagine but that was a long time ago and nothing has changed.
Thanks for stopping by, Kitty!
Perfect.
ReplyDelete