Today is 11/11/22.
On this very day in 1918, the first World War had just ended. Nations grieving their dead ones collectively called for an end to all wars. Armistice Day was born. The following year, Woodrow Wilson shared these words:
To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…
I've got some first draft thoughts about this. With the rebrand of this day as Veteran's Day, I'm all for honoring the humans who sacrificed their lives, and helping them integrate back into society after the horrific traumas they've witnessed. I'm all for acknowledging the destruction that war has brought to people and our Earth. I'm all for people doing what that they believe is right for the greater good and global peace.
Yet many of us want to believe that violence and war happens for a just reason, to fight the "bad guys" for freedom and peace for all. I used to think in such simplistic ways. All over my social media feed, I see people touting the importance of Veteran's Day, with an appropriate sense of acknowledgment for the grief and courage it takes to risk your life on the frontlines (for someone's war).
No one mentioned to them that their going and their dying would mean huge war profits. No one told these American soldiers that they might be shot down by bullets made by their own brothers here. No one told them that their ships might be torpedoed by submarines built with United States patents. They were just told it was to be a "glorious adventure." - War is a Racket, General Smedley Butler
With my current work, I've been diving deep into the banking industry and the creation of the Federal Reserve: a private banking cartel that enriches a handful of wealthy financial elites at the expense of exploiting and dividing the public. I've been reading how the financial banking elite play a major role in how wars are created. Massive war expenditures and the cost of military arms all get funded through central banking. Powerful bankers like J.P. Morgan Chase who helped create the Federal Reserve have had inordinate power and control over US monetary policy. Tens of thousands of new millionaires and billionaires were made during the World War. Some of these financial elites like JP Morgan purchased many of the mainstream newspapers, where they shaped public opinion towards being in favor of war. Why? To make an obscene amount of money, while the public fronted the war bills with our own tax dollars. Would there have been WWI without the creation of the Federal Reserve and the centralization of money? There's so much more to say here.
I cancelled my checking account with Chase and Bank of America years ago, when I learned about their direct involvement in the tragedies of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, due to neoliberal agendas of economic globalization. I currently bank with Patelco Credit Union. Yet with everything I'm learning about the political shadows of money and its ties to war and other horrors, I've never been more interested in learning about alternative forms of currency like crypto.
I'm still unraveling the complexity and scope of central banking and its profit-inducing agendas that come with war. It seems to be intentionally confusing so most of us will have a hard time understanding what's going on. Yet I do know enough to feel cynical and skeptical on days like today, where global peace and brave veterans are celebrated without discussing the underlying factors that drive war and violence, and the money powers behind it that continue to perpetuate itself today.
With all that I'm learning these days, it's easy to get caught up in great disturbance about what I'm supposed to "do" now that I'm seeing how deeper corruption gets played out in our society. I'm giving myself the grace to take it one day at a time, instead of feeling like I'm now responsible for saving humanity with all of the knowledge that I'm gaining. Time to practice what I preach and stay humble. To keep learning and growing, because there's lots more of that for me especially in these domains of political understanding. Yet most importantly, to not lose sight of self-care and the bigger picture in the face of corruption and injustice.
So at 11:11 am on 11/11, I energetically switched it up big time.
I danced my anxiety out, finding my center once again. I purposefully avoided my activist/social change playlists :) These days in particular, I've been feeling so many positive and sensual sensations flowing through me. I want to keep nurturing those feelings despite the darkness out in the world.
Tracks:
- State of Main - Scout
- Soul to Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Take a Picture - Filter
- Righteously - Anna Ash