In a commencement speech at the American University, JFK stated Let us examine our attitude toward peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many think it unreal. But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable--that mankind is doomed--that we are gripped by forces we cannot control. We need not accept that view. Our problems are manmade--therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. Mans reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable--and we believe they can do it again. This speech was given at one of the most pivotal moments in world history, when literally everything was on the line. The USA and USSR were on opposite ends of an ideological battle that bled to the real world via proxy wars and threat of mutual nuclear destruction via first strike and second strike capabilities. President Kennedy, against the better judgement of his top advisers chose the path towards peace, rather than war. Further along in the speech, he attempted to connect the USA and USSR on levels beyond state lines, suggesting that regardless of differences, there is no reason why the people of this world cant coexist. JFKs dream never came to fruition, in fact 50 years after this speech we find ourselves in a similar state of affairs. We are quick to write off entire classes of people as animals, less than human, the enemy. We are quick to align with aggression rather than reason. We are quick to place responsibility elsewhere, when all we can truly control lies within ourselves. As he goes on to say, no government or social system is so evil that its people must be considered as lacking in virtue. By falling into the unfortunate trap that JFK describes, we succumb to ignorance and blind allegiance to an unjust cause. We are all individuals with the innate ability to reason. Instead of thrashing wildly in hysteric rage as the mainstream media spouts hate inciting information, try conducting your own research on the matter from a credible source. Take the time to think logically about each situation, placing your entrenched beliefs aside for an unbiased analysis. Help thy neighbor on a local, national, and global level. The United States, as the world knows, will never start a war. We do not want a war. We do not now expect a war. This generation of Americans has already had enough--more than enough--of war and hate and oppression. We shall be prepared if others wish it. We shall be alert to try to stop it. But we shall also do our part to build a world of peace where the weak are safe and the strong are just. We are not helpless before that task or hopeless of its success. Confident and unafraid, we labor on--not toward a strategy of annihilation but toward a strategy of peace. https://youtube/watch?v=jrspHo8uvmg
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 04:16:43 +0000
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