Give Peace a Chance
December 8th, 2006
I have my iTunes set this morning to shuffle through all of my Beatles and John Lennon tracks. It’s a special day for me, as it is for music fans and peace activists the world over. It’s a day for remembering and reflection. 26 years ago today, on a quiet Upper West Side street, Mark David Chapman took the life of one of the most talented musicians of our time. With four hollow point rounds, Mr. Chapman was able to extinguish the light of a generation.
For so many at that time, John Lennon embodied the peace movement. The US was coming to terms with the devastation of the Vietnam era, the civil rights movement was making great strides, and we had yet to enter the All-About-Me 80’s. In the nexus of this movement stood John Lennon; constantly reminding the world that there was an alternative to perpetual war for perpetual peace. Lennon’s bold message rang true for millions, and he was able to touch them in a way that few others had before him.
At the time, I was just a boy of ten. I recall the sadness of my mother, and my own lack of interest. “What’s the big deal”, I thought. “He’s just some past-his-prime singer” was my general attitude. My immature mind was incapable of grasping the magnitude of the loss. As I grew and learned more about Lennon I discovered all that he had done for society and over time the loss began to resonate.
What is it about peace and pacifists that scare so many people? To be sure, Lennon wasn’t he first pacifist executed: Jesus was a pacifist; Mahatma Gandhi was also a pacifist; as was Martin Luther King Jr. All great men with a vision of peace for mankind. All murdered for their message of love and equality. Is that to be the fate of any pacifist making strides?
When will the time come when we can truly give peace a chance?
December 8th, 2006 at 8:12 am
I never understood the fascination with John Lennon. I always thought he played second fiddle to Paul, and his politics were always totally out there. When he hooked up with Yoko, it was straight downhill.
Whatever…
December 11th, 2006 at 11:16 am
To honor the day someone has hung a large ‘imagine’ banner on on of the Northern State Parkway overpasses.
Not the first words of wisdom posted on that road. Amazing what you can see jsut cruising around.
December 11th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
I remember the news about him being shot, but dont recall being terribly upset. I wasn’t much of a beatles fan back then. He was a great musician, great peace activist?
I don’t know.
Something to think about, Greg Martin Luther King was a great man but man, but other men willing to do violence advanced his movement. Honest police officers, FBI agents and national guard troops come to mind.
To answer your question yes peace activists who gain any momentum in their movement will always be killed. It is common sense. If you aren’t willing to fight back what is to stop a bad guy from killing you?
The answer is simple other men who are.