Tomorrow's children will look at us in silent horror when we tell them of the world they will inherit.
Imagine the reaction when a child is told:
"We have created enough nuclear weaponry to destroy the world many times over.
Not only that, but be we've learned nothing at all about the effects of nuclear
warfare.
After killing 200,000 plus people and permanently altering Japaneese land,
we continued to "test" nuclear weaponry.
We removed indigenous peoples from their island habitats,
so that we could blow up their homes.
The handful of rich white people who run our nation don't seem interested
in stopping.
They have spent $14 trillion on the military in the last 50 years, and the
military still accounts for more than 50% of our budget."
How can we justify any of this?
In time the children will learn that the sprawling condominiums
were once forests full of diversified and abundant life,
they will hear of the great plains that are now cattle grazed dust bowls,
pure drinkable water,
air without smoke stacks,
food without toxins,
homes without prison bars and locks.
And, knowing all of this, what will be their repulsion
when they hear of the reaction of most americans?
If we tell them that most people, in preparing to pass on the lie,
reasoned that nuclear power, and a militaristic society,
existed for our "protection," or "defense,"
what will our children say?
How will they stomach the betrayal of their ancestors?
Most importantly, will we be able to rationally explain away such apathy?
If tommorow's children can't accept the effects of militarism, how can we?
Five centuries ago, the Iroqouis confederacy told the great law of their
people
to the European invaders. The law stated:
"In each of our deliberations,
we must consider the effect on the next seven generations."
Racist and greedy Europeans refused to listen then,
and built a capitalist empire upon the rubble of 500 indigenous nations.
If we listen now,
perhaps there can be seven more generations.
-Taylor Sparrow