More things change, the more they stay the same
The Israeli/Hamas “war” has us choosing sides and lamenting the limitations of diplomacy. It has not become a raging regional proxy war, but it has brought conflict in our own country, with some confrontations and threats a shade smaller than the armed confrontation a continent away.
Hearing discussion about the evidence of this divide reminded me of an old Kingston Trio song, “The Merry Minuet,” that you might remember. It was recorded in 1959. It was a short song and the most relevant lyrics to my current musings are: “They’re rioting in Africa, There’s strife in Iran, What nature doesn’t do to us, Will be done by our fellow man.”
The Israel/Hamas “war” dominates the news, but worldwide it is just one of many. The Ukrainian battleground sees no end in sight. Somalia, Sudan and Syria have raging civil wars with huge population disruptions, starvation and casualties. The never-ending war in the Congo has picked up again. There are 6.9 million displaced people, Ebola and cholera are spreading, and an estimated 15 million children need humanitarian aid.
Opinion in America is divided, in large part, by age/generation, or maybe a better way to describe it, a difference in historical perspective. Those of us who were young adults during the 1967 Arab/Israeli war see Israel defending itself. The younger generations point to longterm Israeli abuse of Palestinians as the root of the cause. Many are too busy assigning blame to analyze what solutions are possible.
A high school acquaintance who writes weekly columns penned the best description of what is riling factions in America, “the pyre of ignorance, trying to make the opinions of others and themselves become facts.”
I heard an interesting discussion on a Slate podcast where three political news commentators discussed the inflamed commentary in the media. At the end of the discussion all three agreed, the media was turning the “war” into the usual need to look for controversy to attract an audience when what is needed is for journalists/commentators to report the facts and avoid the opinions.
That is also what is needed to end the current conflict and prevent a future one. We entreat peace, but we also crave peace of mind. Since current wars are like many before with centuries of religious/cultural collateral as a cause, there may never be an end, but the peace of mind part can be achieved applying optimism.
Each of us, even collectively, have little influence on the Middle East where religious extremists reign, but here at home we can be part of establishing and modeling peace. We can work to end or diminish racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia in our own country.
(Tim Willoughby moved to the Eastern Sierra more than 10 years ago after a 30-year career as a teacher and principal. He was the Democratic candidate for the 25th Congressional District in 2004. Willoughby also pens a weekly local history column for the Aspen Times.)